Lauder’s Blinkbonney Quarry/Express Tyres sidecar team of Stephen Kershaw and Rob Wilson made the long trip to Hampshire over the weekend for round seven of the British Formula one sidecar Championship at Thruxton.
Lying in fourth place and only three and a half points from the third place team of Roger Lovelock and Aki Alto, three eight lap races would take place on this very fast and unforgiving 2.3 mile circuit.
So with plenty of points up for grabs, and having finished third at the last round two weeks ago, Steve and Rob were confident that they could have another good weekend in this highly competitive Championship. And they didn’t disappoint. Friday’s qualifying saw them take their best ever position on the grid for Saturday’s two races with a superb third place averaging 105 mph.
In race one they started well and went into fourth place and, on lap five, the third place team of Holland and Watson retired so the local pair took full advantage finishing in third place in a race that was won by the Championship leaders Stevens and Charlwood in lap record time.
Saturday’s second race again saw a great start from the team keeping in third place and losing out on second place by less than half a second to second in the Championship Peach and Richardson.
With a few overnight adjustments Sunday’s lunch time’s televised race was watched by a huge crowd basking in sunshine and again it was another superb performance by Steve and Rob. A three way fight for second place saw them narrowly losing out on another podium with a fourth place finish.
Back in the paddock Steve said: “We’ve had another great weekend, the fastest I’ve ever been around here.
“We are now back in third place in the Championship. I just lost out on some grip in the last race or we could have had another podium.”
Rob added: “It is just a killer circuit for passengers.
“You can’t explain the feeling of speed that you get especially down the back of the circuit. It nearly pulls you arms off.
“I’m delighted to have had three really good finishes and still be in one piece after my bad crash here a few years ago.”
The Lauder lads are now back into third place, 38 and a half points ahead of Holland and Watson.
The next round is in seven weeks at the TT circuit of Assen in the Netherlands.