First win for Andy Burge
Qualifying: Dry
In dry conditions the cars came out for the qualifying session on this two day event with round four on Saturday and round five on Sunday.
As ever on this challenging circuit Paddock Bend was causing the drivers problems with the new ones having more than a few problems. The most spectacular being Matt Robinson, however, no damage was done.
Tom Roche winner of the first two rounds had the unfortunate experience of engine problems on lap 4 and he took no further part in the session.
Meanwhile experienced Paul Sheard was establishing himself as the man to catch being just under 0.4 seconds ahead of second placed driver Andy Burge.
Championship leader Richard Breland and second placed Justin Newnam had to be content with mid a grid placing.
The remainder of the field was separated by less than 2 seconds.
Grid Positions Race One:
1 Paul Sheard 0:59.739 Average speed 72.23 mph
2 Andy Burge 1:00.106 Average speed 71.79 mph
3 Joachim Ritter 1:00.199 Average speed 71.69 mph
Round 4
First MaX5 Win For Andy Burge.
Conditions: Dry
From the start Andy Burge was fastest away followed by Paul Sheard, Matt Robinson and Nick Wright with Tom Roche, having resolved an engine timing problem, moving swiftly through the field and by the end of the first lap up to eleventh place.
The front two of Andy Paul Burge and Sheard continued to pull out a small lead from the chasing pack which had now split into three groups each having their own battles.
By lap four Tom Roche had pulled himself up to seventh position but unfortunately suffered from a tyre valve failure and had to pull out at the end of the lap.
Coming into Paddock Bend on lap five Paul Sheard took the lead from Andy Burge but was unable to pull away and Andy regained the lead on lap 6 whilst behind them Matt Robinson continued to push hard.
Lower down the field the chasing group of Jonathan Halliwell, Joachim Ritter, Justin Newnam and Richard Breland continued to keep the formation close.
By lap 9 Nick Wright had dropped off the pace and was caught by the following group but coming out of Druids contact was made between Joachim Ritter and Nick Wright causing Nick to spin twice before carrying on which effectively finished Nicks push for a podium finish.
The battle up front was still close with Matt Robinson getting ever closer to second placed Paul Sheard who on lap 11 put in the fastest lap of the race with a time of 59.729 seconds.
The three leaders kept close order right to the chequered flag with Andy Burge coming home in a creditable and well deserved first MaX5 win and Matthew Robinson gaining his first MaX5 podium finish.
Result:
1 Andy Burge 14:12.263 Average speed 70.88 mph
2 Paul Sheard 14:12.657 Average speed 70.84 mph
3 Matt Robinson 14:12.953 Average speed 70.82 mph
Fastest Lap: Paul Sheard lap 11 0:59.729 Average speed 72.24 mph
Round 5
Brilliant second place for Nick Wright.
Conditions: Dry
Grid:
- Paul Sheard
- Joachim Ritter
- Nick Wright
Straight from the start Paul Sheard went in front closely followed by Joachim Ritter and Nick Wright.
At the first bend Andy Burge from the second row was alongside the three of them but was never going to make it to the front and came off into the gravel but managed to keep going to rejoin the race at the back.
Unfortunately the incident also signalled then end of the race for Charles Plumley .
Up front the three leaders kept close order with Joachim pushing Paul hard into every corner but on lap three at Druids Joachim got past to take the lead.
Andy Burge was now working his way through the field in pursuit of the leaders who had now started to pull away from the rest of the field.
Joachim Ritter appeared to have the race under control until on lap seven coming out of Druids his clutch failed and that was the end of his race.
This left Paul Sheard in the lead with Nick Wright close behind, these two had now been caught by Matt Robinson, hoping to improve on yesterdays third place, these three were also being caught by Jon Halliwell and Richard Breland who had already put in the fastest lap of the race.
Lower down the field Dean Parker, Justin Newnam and Mark Pierpoint had been caught and past by the charging Andy Burge.
As the leaders started the final lap there was still all to race for as the chasing pair of Nick Wright and Matt Robinson tried all ways to get past Paul Sheard who managed to hold on to the chequered flag with Nick coming home second for his first podium place to make up for yesterdays disappointment.
Result:
1 Paul Sheard 14:22.292 Average speed 70.05 mph
2 Nick Wright 14:22.606 Average speed 70.03 mph
3 Matt Robinson 14:23.205 Average speed 69.98 mph
Fastest lap: Richard Breland 0:59.997 Average speed 71.92 mph on lap 3
The next round will be at Cadwell Park Lincolnshire on Sunday 22 June.
B Marsh