The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding’s Andy Molsom overcame a nightmare qualifying to keep his Caterham Graduates Super Championship lead intact.
Molsom was plagued by car problems in the build-up to rounds eight and nine at Croft in North Yorkshire and started the races from the back of the grid.
However, the Spalding optometrist still stormed to victory in Sunday’s second race to remain in pole position for honours.
Molsom commented: “Motor racing can be a roller-coaster ride of emotions sometimes and I certainly found some of the highs and lows this weekend.
“To win my class from the back of the grid still feels unreal.”
It was on the first warm-up lap that Molsom’s car ground to a halt after the first corner of Clervaux.
Despite all his efforts, the car wouldn’t restart and a red flag was thrown as Molsom was stopped in a dangerous position.
After jump starting the car from the towtruck, he was able to make his way back out onto the circuit, but the same happened again, except this time Molsom was able to park up safely for the session to continue.
This meant that Molsom had only one timed lap and, after some discussion, he was allowed to race but starting from the back of the mixed grid.
The car was fixed ready for Saturday afternoon’s race, the problem being a faulty FIA Master switch.
Molsom lined up on the grid in 14th place with his main rival Toby Briant some 11 places ahead.
A great start and first lap meant Molsom was already up to ninth place and constantly pushing as he gradually made his way onto the back of Briant by lap 12.
Unfortunately Molsom ran out of time in the next two laps to challenge Briant, instead having a battle with previous champion Guy Halley in a mega-graduate car to retain track position.
Molsom finished the race a worthy second in class and sixth on the road in the mixed class of mega and super-graduate cars.
He commented: “Qualifying was a complete nightmare, stood at the side of the track considering that I may not even get to race.
“But Rockey Racing were great and had the problem identified in minutes and fixed in plenty of time for the race.”
Sunday’s race also meant a start right at the back of 16 cars on the grid. Molsom again made a good start and had gained four places by the end of the first lap.
He then stamped his authority on the race by catching class leader Briant by lap five, passing him half a lap later, where he stayed until the end despite a battle for the lead with Barry White# towards the end of the race as Molsom got caught up with a lapped car on the exit of the chicane.
Molsom, who finished fifth on the road and first in class, said: “I really didn’t expect to see Briant during the race, having to start so far back.
“But I got my head down and stuck at it and was rewarded with another win.”
Molsom will now turn his attentions to the next round at Zandvoort, a former F1 track in Holland.
