Race Results and Analysis

Dadson Gentlemens Challenge round 5 Forest Edge

The 5^th round of the Dadson Challenge got under way at an overcast but warm day at Forest Edge and with the threat of rain in the air the racing was vigorous and competitive.

The first heat saw Derek Bejerved-eades on pole for the first time since upgrading to full plate, followed by Darran Hicks, Melvyn Francis and Colin Wright. At the lights it was Eades away from Hicks but with a charging Francis it was not to long before he took up the first spot. Colin Wright was dropping back and Kevin Otway was pressuring Eades and Hicks as was Tony Cowlam getting a great start from 7^th spot. At the flag it was Francis from Otway, Cowlam and Hicks.

Heat 2 saw Tom Hudson on pole from Cowlam, Martin Cull and John Beckenham and at the lights Cowlam got a great start and lead into the first bend, behind it was Beckenham making his move while Cowlam pulled away. Towards the back of the field Wright and Francis had an incident resulting in Francis getting a DNF and Wright being excluded and so at the flag it was Cowlam with Beckenham 0.2 seconds behind , Kevin Rootes and Hudson 4^th.

The 3^rd and last heat saw Series sponsor Dannie Pennell of Team Dadson on pole from Otway, Rootes, and Beckenham and at the lights it was Pennell away from Otway and Rootes. The racing was intense at the front with Pennell under severe pressure but with Otway losing his chain it was Rootes and Beckenham fighting for position with Francis all over the front three. Dannie Pennell resisted the attacks from behind to finish first but Francis managed to get 2^nd spot from 3^rd man Beckenham and Rootes 4^th.

The Final saw Tony Cowlam on Pole from Dannie Pennell, the second row saw Melvyn Francis from Kevin Rootes and on the third row was John Beckenham and Kevin Otway. At the lights it was Cowlam away from Pennell and Francis and by the 4^th lap Cowlam had a 4 kart lead but all was about to change as Pennells chain snapped at Bridge , Francis was on a charge and was on Cowlam . Behind it was Rootes ahead of Beckenham with nothing to separate them and with Otway there too the places were all up for grabs. On lap 9 Francis made his move at the bus stop and it was close but Francis took up the lead and took it to a win from Cowlam , Rootes, Beckenham and Otway coming home 5^th.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

1. Melvyn Francis 294 2. Tony Cowlam 281 3. John Beckenham 280

4. Dannie Pennell 234 5. Kevin Otway 226 ^. Darren Hicks 212

THE DADSON GENTLEMENS CHALLENGE ROUND 4 LLANDOW

The fourth round of the Dadson Gents Challenge got under way at a sun drenched Llandow circuit, to which I was told by the circuit owners, that it was the only dry race day they have had all year.

The first heat saw Melvin Francis on pole from Colin Wright, Dannie Pennell and Derek Bejerved-Eades who was starting his first race as a full plate. At the start it was Francis away in the lead, with Pennell pressuring Wright into the first set of bends, but behind the leaders it was Kevin Otway ,Kevin Rootes and John Beckenham who were making there way through the pack . At the flag it was Francis from Beckenham , Pennell, Rootes, Otway and Tom Hudson.

Heat two saw Vic Wise on Pole from John Becenham, Tony Cowlam and Darren Hicks and at the lights it was Beckenham away in front of Wise with Cowlam in hot pursuit but unable to keep with the leading two.

By lap 5 Otway and Rootes had caught Cowlam and took third and fourth spot and at the flag it was Beckenham from Wise, Otway, Rootes and Cowlam.

The last heat saw Otway in pole from Rootes, Martin Cull and Hudson and with Otway away cleanly with Rootes breathing down his neck the front two pulled away. Behind them it was Beckenham who made a fantastic start but it was short lived with a pile up at the first corner saw him come together with Hudson and with Hudsons steering bent he had to retire. Cull was under pressure from Pennell Hicks and Cowlam with the last lap board out it was hectic at the finish line with the win to Otway from Rootes, Francis, Pennell, Cull and Hicks.

The final grid saw Otway on pole from Rootes, Francis, Beckenham, Pennell and Cowlam and the front two were away at the flag from Francis, Beckenham and with a great start Cowlam beat Pennell into the first bend. Thje first 5 were in a train for 6 laps until Pennell re took 5^th from Cowlam but up front Rootes was relishing the thought of winning the race with two moves on Otway but with no luck he decided to settle for second. Francis was slowing up and seemed to be struggling but was keeping Beckenham at bay , so the final standings were Otway from Rootes, Francis, Beckenham and Cowlam taking back 5^th from Pennell 6^th.

Championship Standings

1. John Beckenham 226 2. Melvin Francis 223 3. Tony Cowlam 211

4. Dannie Pennell 201 5. Kevin Otway 175 6. Darren Hicks 175

Report TONY COWLAM

DADSON GENTLEMANS CHALLENGE Round 3 Clay Pigeon

The third round of the Dadson Gentlemans Challenge started at an overcast Clay Pigeon, which turned into heavy rain for the first heat.

On the grid for the first heat in pole was John Beckenham from Melvyn Francis, Martin Cull and Tom Hudson and at on the roll up lap we saw Beckenham spin at the first bend but manage to get back into position before the start. At the lights everyone was away with a spray of water clouding everyones vision behind the front men but Tony Cowlam starting in 6^th place had got into 3^rd position before the hair pin and on the next lap had taken the lead.with Cull on his heels in 2^nd and Darran Hicks in 3^rd which is where they finished at the flag with Beckenham in 4^th.

With the Rain falling heavily the meeting was halted for an hour but we were soon underway again after the rain had stopped on a still wet track with the heat 2 which saw Nigel Harley on pole from Tony Cowlam,Sid Horman and Darran Hicks and at the flag it was Cowlam away in front with Hicks on his tail but on Lap 2 hicks spun at the hairpin and at the horse shoe Cowlam done the same but was unable to restart. Melvyn Francis and Kevin Otway were storming through the field from 12^th and 13^th spots and at the flag it was Tom Hudson from Otway, Francis and Martin Cull.

Heat 3 saw a dry race now the sun had decided to join us, Kevin Otway was in pole from Colin Wright, Dannie Pennell and Sid Horman and at the lights Otway was away clean from Wright and Pennell. Sid Horman was being pressured by Tom Hudson for 4^th spot and Horman eventually lossed out to go 5^th and at the flag we saw a win by Otway from Wright ,Pennell, Hudson and Horman.

The final saw Kevin Otway in Pole Martin Cull 2^nd Tom Hudson 3^rd and 4th went to Colin Wright and unfortunately Pennell missed the 5^th slot due to a non start on the dummy grid but did make the race at the back .At the lights Otway was away from Cull but with a storming charge the man on the move was Francis starting in 6^th and by lap 3 was in the lead but it was short lived as his clutch went on lap 4.

Otway resumed the lead from Cull, Hudson, Wright, Beckenham and Cowlam who was putting pressure on Beckenham for 4 to5 laps and on lap 9 beckenham span and was collected by Pennell. The finishing order was Otway from Cull, Hudson, Wright and Cowlam but in Parqe Ferme Cull and Hudson were unfortunately disqualified for being under weight and so promoted Wright to 2^nd and Cowlam to 3^rd.

Championship Standings

1. John Beckenham 171 2. Melvin Francis 162 3. Tony Cowlam 160 4. Dannie Pennell 151

5. Darren Hicks 140 6. Martin Cull 115

DADSON GENTLEMANS ROTAX CHALLENGE ROUND 2

The second round of the gents challenge took place at an overcast but dry Ellough Park on the 6^th May and I would like to thank all the staff at the circuit for there warm welcome and allowing us to hold a round of our series at there circuit.

The first heat saw Sid Horman on pole for the first time, with Martin Cull alongside him and at the lights it was Cull away with total madness behind him and with the whole field swamping Horman, Tony Cowlam took 2^nd place. With Cull having brake problems Cowlam took the lead and with Dannie Pennell taking Horman thats how the finished with Novice Derek Bejered-Eades taking forth.

In the second heat we saw Tom Hudson on pole from John Beckenham and Vic Wise and at the lights it was Beckenham away and who was never threatened to the flag. It was different behind him, as we saw Hudson having a great battle to keep Wise at bay from Darren Hicks who had a great race starting from 10^th slot.

Heat 3 saw the very experienced Melvyn Francis lead the field round on the roll up lap, from Hicks Nigel Harley and Cowlam and at the lights Francis had a great start, from Hicks and Cowlam. The three pulled away with Beckenham breathing down on Cowlam it was to be those positions at the flag with Hudson in 5^th.

The Final saw Beckenham and Cowlam on the same points but with a first heat win Cowlam took the pole from beckenham ,Francis, hicks and a great 5^th position from Novice Eades.

At the lights it was Beckenham getting the jump on Cowlam and the pair pulled legs on the rest but by lap 8 Francis was breathing down on Cowlam and at the hairpin Francis saw a chance up the inside to take 2^nd. By lap 10 Pennell had got passed Cowlam to demote him to 4^th and on the final lap hicks took 4^th on the straight and so the final positions were Beckenham from Francis, Pennell, Hicks ,Cowlam and 6^th place home was Hudson.

Report Tony Cowlam