Over the weekend of 2/3 August 2008 competitors from all clubs contested the 2008 Stewartby Sprints as follows:-
S 2000
Some 10 F2 boats attended this year’s event headed up by Stewartby members Colin and Owen Jelf who as usual were in attendance to contest the Jeri Lamba Memorial Trophy. The fleet was unfortunately reduced following a high flying accident involving Stu Wilkinson from MPRC which resulted in substantial damage to his Grand Prix boat rendering it unusable for the remainder of the weekend.
Colin Jelf drove superbly to claim three straight victories and the top spot on the podium. Malcolm Goodman took second place from Owen Jelf having put a top notch overtaking manoeuvre on the international driver in the second heat. Steve Fitzsimmons and Ian Wright had a coming together in heat two with only minor damage being occasioned to Ian’s boat whilst Steve’s boat suffered more extensive damage which was repaired before the final heat. Paul Balfour finished fourth overall with the next two places being filled by Ian Wright and Billy Nairn.
S850
A total of 12 boats lined up for this year’s race which was dominated by Mark Williams who took three straight victories to earn a maximum 1200 points. Stephen Batch took three second places to finish second with 1080 points whilst Tim Lewis took the final podium place with 908 points. Irishman Colin Hagan finished fourth with Stewartby member Stuart King finishing fifth ahead of Paul Veares coming in sixth. LOBMBC Commodore Brian Shulver provided the only worrying moment when he barrel rolled in the first heat but pleasingly both he and the boat where undamaged and was able complete the remaining hats eventually finishing in seventh position.
J250
The number of junior drivers where down this year with a total of six boats lining up for this year’s race. Ben Morse of LPRC and Stewartby drove a series of faultless races to achieve a maximum of 1200 points whilst Matt Palfreyman took second place with 1008 points and Alex Gilbert finished third with 956 points. Charlotte Gilbert finished fourth with Nick Walsh in fifth place ahead of Charlotte Newton who drove extremely well in her first National event.
T850
Due to the lack of entries from National licence holders the race was designated as a club race. The fleet of six boats was reduced further when LPRC and Stewartby member Graham Palfreyman blew the bottom out of his boat rendering it beyond use for the remainder of the weekend.
Bill Owen took two race victories and a second place to take the overall victory whilst Pete Mantripp took one race victory and two second paces to take second place overall. The final podium place was secured by Adam Shearing with David Brett taking fourth place and Ray Birnie taking fifth place.
OSY 400
In the OSY class 5 boats lined up to challenge for the title of Sprint Champion with the title being taken by Craig Speller with 1200 points followed by Tony Knights coming in second place with 1000 points. Mike Pacey came in third despite an accident in heat 1 and a dive on the run down lap in heat three. Danny Wood finished in fourth place with David Smith finishing fifth.
Hydro’s
10 Hydro’s contested the various classes with Wayne Turner taking first place in the O-125 and Paul Jillings taking the title in the 0-250 class. Julian Codling was the overall winner in 0-350 with Carl Wigg winning the 0-500 class which had the highest level of entries.
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