Its Sunday 16th October, Knighton Sandpit at 08.30 in the morning, sun shining and cars raring to go. Of course its another round of the IOWCC unsealed surface championship, the penultimate round in fact. With Dan Morgan, the current leader absent it was a perfect opportunity for the chasing pack spearheaded by Neil Glasbey to take valuable points leading into the final USS on 30th October at the very same venue.

Andy Williams as ever kicked the proceedings off, after a run stating ‘it was like driving on marbles’ the surface was very slippery. With the unseasonably dry weather dust was also going to be an issue for competitors. Andy recorded a 1:16.84 which was soon cut down to size by Neil Glasbey in the Northwood Golf with a 1:14.98. The third rival to Mr Morgan was Andrew Leppard but he seemed to have a continuing issue with hitting cones and incurring penalties.

Meanwhile competition was hotting with the ladies, a fierce (but fair) battle has risen between Rebecca French and Vicky Cox. Vicky set her stall with a 1:19.52 which Rebecca had no initial reply but as the conditions improved so did her time and she took the fastest lady over Vicky, Marion and Jemma with a 1:12.44 driving the wheels off the little orange Golf. Vicky looked disappointed as she was leading the pack with a 1:14.04 right up to the last runs. Unlucky Vicky and Well done Boo! Its nice to see so many ladies competing, the more the merrier ?

Back at the top and a new leader had emerged, it was the half way point and Martyn Cutler was over 2 seconds quicker than the chasing pack. Using the Northwood Golf as the WWC car was out of action was obviously working for him. Conditions were getting ever better and times had started to tumble, the Dutch brothers beginning to get the hang of their space framed Mini were starting to threaten. When Dave Dutch popped in a 1:11.61 the battle was on. Neil, striving for the top popped up with a 1:11.43 to top the leaderboard only to be cut down by Darren Taylor with a 1:10.27 from absolutely nowhere. Only a few drivers remained, Andy Williams having dropped out earlier with wheel bearing issues. Neil had one run remaining, topping the table would leave him 2 points clear of Dan. Unfortunately for Neil his final run was a disaster, recording a wrong test as he was upset with how the run was evolving. Bad luck Neil, but still second place would have left him 1 point ahead of Dan. Alas it was not to be, Martyn Cutler put himself inbetween Darren and Neil on his final run with a 1:10.31 just 0.04 seconds behind Darren. A tough fought battle at the top but with Darren emerging victorious.

I caught up with Darren at the end and he said ‘this is my first win, I am so happy! The little grasstrack car did me proud today’ Well done Darren you deserved the victory for plucking a time from oblivion.

Just one round remaining, Neil and Dan are joint first and uncatchable by anyone else. This is set for a battle of the titans, miss it at your own peril!

Top 5

Darren Taylor 1:10.27
Martyn Cutler 1:10.31
Neil Glasbey 1:11.43
Wayne Hole 1:11.44
Dave Dutch 1:11.61

Top 3 league positions

Dan Morgan 195
Neil Glasbey 195
Andrew Leppard 186