Too much power? 

Round 3 - Kinross

31/07/02

An unusual cry was heard at the third round of the Goodyear British Off Road Championship. "Problem is I've got too much power now!" exclaimed championship pacesetter Paul Choat in an attempt to explain his surprisingly below par times. "This course doesn't really suit my car."

The muddy conditions of the thankfully rain-free weekend in the Ochil Hills close to Kinross led to a tough event to mark the halfway point in the championship. With ground conditions soggy and slippery from months of near solid rain the course soon cut up and times increased.

The course with its many yumps seemed to suit the longer wheel base vehicles and Paul Clackett in his Range Rover flew to a first in the modified production class after a close fight with Tony Walmsley in his Defender 90. Class leader Simon Dowdeswell's challenge faded on Saturday evening when he sheared all the bolts holding the steering box into his Land Rover.

The works Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin, fresh from the paint shop following an accident at the previous round was holding its own in the rutted and claggy conditions. Colin Read drove to a solid first in class. Main class rival Nik Ward (Suzuki Vitara) broke a front diff early on the Saturday runs and was forced to retire.

Husband and wife team Keith and Sally Lewis took the overall honours following a gearbox swap on Saturday night. Keith also complained that he had too much power for the slippery conditions. "It's been a hard event we nearly got stuck on Saturday, but its a good finish for us!"

The championship now has its third overall leader in as many events.  Second placed Richard Kershaw now leads the series from Bruce Tigwell who gained a first in class but was unable to challenge for the podium positions. Reigning champion Paul Choat lies third from event winner Keith Lewis.

Top ten results

1 Keith Lewis Simmbugghini 1h40m50s

2 Richard Kershaw Amaterati 1h41m49s

3 Alec Lofthouse Indipendant 1h43m24s

4 Bruce Tigwell Tigwell 4x4 1h44m44s

5 Paul Choat Simmbugghini 1h 44m58s

6 David Eggington Simmbugghini 1h45m40s

7 Trevor Milner Milner R4 1h48m11s

8 Simon Williams Bowler Tomcat 1h51m44s

9 Tom Rimell Range Rover Spl 1h53m36s

10 Mick Gillett Simmbugghini 1h56m15s

For our full results service as an Adobe Acrobat download click here.

Results for Round 1 - Tunbridge Wells

Results for Round 2 - Glynneath