FIESTAS ENTERTAIN AT BRANDS HATCH

Matthew Parr's victory in the first Ford Fiesta ST race was secured as early as Paddock Hill Bend on the opening lap as the Horsham driver demoted pole position sitter Jason Cooper to second. He was made to work much harder in race two, with Chippenham's Cooper trying to emulate Parr's quick getaway. The cars ran side-by-side until Cooper edged ahead at Surtees. Clearly on the ragged edge, Cooper survived a sideways moment seconds later, and the following lap, dropped out of contention running through the gravel trap at Clark Curve. Grady took the fight to Parr, and looked to be lining up a late challenge when the race was red flagged following a heavy impact from Lingfield's Lee Napolitano. Local man Andrew Wilmot from Dartford kept Heathfield's Ed Cockill at bay to claim third.

Championship leader John Langridge continued his dominant run at the head of the Ford Fiesta Si field, leaving Cambridge's David Elsom and Londoner Ed West to fight for second. West threw away a hard-earned runner-up slot going wide exiting Clark Curve on the penultimate lap, with the interloping Zetec of Biggin Hill's Nikolas Barton claiming third behind Elsom. A tardy race two start from Bodiam's Langridge gave Elsom the early advantage, but he swept into the lead at the start of lap two, and stroked home to another unchallenged victory. West upped his pace in pursuit of Elsom but was unable to get close enough to attempt a pass. Scott Baines, Kevin Stirling and Ken Bateman enjoyed a lively scrap for Zetec class placings behind a dominant Barton.

Fiesta co-ordinator and BRSCC SE Centre Committee member Kevin Shortis reported a healthy interest in Club membership and potential involvement in the category from the large crowd who visited the Paddock area.

The BRSCC South Eastern Centre returns to Brands Hatch over the weekend of August 13-14 for the Ma5da Race Weekend.

The full results can be viewed here: FIESTA RESULTS

Colin Mann