The
contemporary press (in this case Motoring News) was surprisingly kind
to a sponsorless championship in great difficulties. I beg to differ.
Pathetic entries, yet another champion from the smallest class with
hardly any opposition. Andy Rouse in the biggest class really had no
opposition as well. He built a new car, sold the old one down under,
and only a string of bad luck could keep him from the fourth
championship in a row. The most promising 1985 car, the Mitsubishi, was
missing. What was left were a handful of private Rovers (what a TWR
example could do was shown at the British GP only) and the BMW of Mike
Newman; despite of enthusiastic stories of Schnitzer parts, the outcome
was minimal. Class B was a bit better, three Escort turbos fighting two
Alfa 75's (from race two), but the Italian cars were not up to the
challenge. Class C had a well-prepared Corolla of Hodgetts with
opposition from a few Fords, which were entered, or just missed a few
races. Class D (1300 cc) was a farce, with 10 points up for grabs for
anyone with a suitable 1300 cc car. In the end, few turned up in only a
handful of races - imagine a champion from these ranks.
There were two races with a better entry. The first one ws the British
GP entry, where Group A cars from all over the country (and a few
prodsaloons) turned up. The other one was also at Brands Hatch, where
nine racing school Escort XR3i's were entered raced by their
instructors - enough said, I suppose...
The races: |
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