Thursday October 12, 2017 at 7:16pm
The day
started with McLernon leading Holmes by just one point, so the Championship
looked set to go to the wire! But third was all to be played for!!
Paul Holmes
was totally focussed and on devastating form in the sixth and final round of
the British Championship at the ever popular, albeit challenging track at
Canada Heights in Kent. He produced a flawless performance in the autumn
sunshine to deservedly grab the title back from Ireland’s Mark McLernon, This
was the perfect tribute to his Late father who passed away only 10 days prior
to the event.The third spot was leapfrogged from a terrific day by Irelands,
Leon Rogers to leave both Bunce and Cowan in his wake!
Qualifying,
and Holmes set the pace in first place with Leon Rogers 0.8 seconds behind and
McLernon a close third.
Race 1 and
it was 18 year old “king of the holeshots” Dafydd Davies who got off to a flyer
and lead Stefan Murphy and Leon Rogers for the first few laps. Lap 3 saw the change around as Rogers moved
to the front with Holmes and Murphy chasing.
But it was
behind where the Championship was changing as McLernon had a Mechanical issue
towards the end of lap 4 giving him a very untimely DNF and turning his one
point lead from the start of the day to a 21 point deficit! Rogers took the win
with Holmes 2nd and Murphy 3rd.
Race 2 saw
another Davies hole shot and as early on as lap 2 Holmes had a commanding lead
with McLernon in 2nd. However, Holmes had his glory put on hold as
the race was red flagged due to Blake McCormick having a nasty off.
After the
restart it was George Day off the line quickest and he set a good early pace
with Holmes and Rogers in pursuit along with youngster Davies and Harry Walker.
By lap 5
Holmes was at the front and more importantly to him McLernon had an off that
left him way down the field. McLernon could only recover to 10th
which handed the title to a delighted and emotional Paul Holmes with a race to
spare. George Day took a spirited 2nd and Rogers 3rd.
On to the
final race of the day Race 3, and another Davies hole shot with Holmes and
Rogers giving chase. Holmes took over the lead on lap 2 and Davies slipped back
to 4th as Rogers and Bunce moved in to 2nd and 3rd.
A late surge
by Bunce to catch Holmes in the latter stages was not successful as Holmes held
on for the win. Elsewhere, Walker got passed Davies and Day and Murphy to grab
him his impressive second fourth place finish of the day. An electrical gremlin
in race 1 will have eluded him of a podium Position on the day.
On the day:
1st Paul Holmes (2,1,1), 2nd Leon Rogers (1,3,3), 3RD
George Day (6,2,6)
2017 Championship:
Paul Holmes, 2nd Mark McLernon, 3rd Leon Rogers
U21’s on the
day 1st Dafydd Davies, 2nd Harry Walker, 3rd
James Bevan - With Davies taking the U21 title to 2017 with Bevan 2nd
and Walker 3rd
Young Blake
McCormick suffered a dislocated shoulder and received surgery to re-locate and
repair a fracture and has also suffered concussion. He was taken to kings
college hospital London and was receiving great attention Sunday evening