JONATHAN Legris's opportunity to show his speed in front of the Formula One paddock came to an abrupt end at Valencia at the weekend.

The Bournemouth driver was racing for Team West Tech in the latest round of the Spanish F3 championship that supported the Grand Prix of Europe around the harbour street circuit.

Driving an eight-year-old Dallara, Legris was second quickest in free practice and qualified fourth despite having to abandon his best lap following a crash by another competitor.

Starting on the dirty side of the track, Legris tried to move up to second at turn two but was pushed wide and slotted back into fourth place.

On lap three, Legris was getting back up to speed after a safety car period when he was pushed into a wall after contact with another car which caused severe damage to the Dallara.

SECOND ON DEBUT

TEENAGE motorbike rider Jim Lovell from Poole made a stunning debut in the New Era Super Club race meeting at Donington when he finished second on his race debut.

The 16-year-old qualified his Barclays Motorcycles and Teenage Kicks Racing Honda CB500 third out of 16 in his class for the 25-minute race but made a slow start dropping back to sixth. However, within a few laps he was up to second and closing down the leader.

But then his bike got stuck in neutral and while Lovell tried to fix the problem several rivals overtook him before he found a gear.

Over the closing laps Lovell hunted down the riders ahead of him and grabbed second on the very last lap.

His ride was the first time back on a bike in six months following a big accident while racing at Snetterton.

Lovell now plans to contest two more races this season before concentrating all his efforts on seeking the championship title next year.

EARLY RESULT

A DRAMA-packed event at Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb near Salisbury on Sunday saw the fate of the 2008 Nicholson McLaren MSA British Hillclimb Championship decided - six events early.

Scott Moran from Shropshire (3.5 Gould GR61X) had led the series since the very beginning back in April, consistently scoring wins and second places to eke out a substantial points lead.

And he wrapped up the title with fifth and second in the two points scoring Championship Run Offs at Gurston as arch rival Martin Groves's challenge faltered with a broken gear.

In the first runs, Paul Ranson, who shares driving the 3.5 Gould GR55B with Groves, ran first. However he span out and damaged some rear bodywork that then punctured the left rear tyre.

Reigning triple champion Groves took to the track with the aerodynamically crucial rear diffuser sides missing and on second choice tyres. But on a slightly damp track he somehow managed to go fastest of all.

Last up the hill was fastest qualifier Jos Goodyear (4.0 Pilbeam MP97), the only driver under 27 seconds in qualifying in the first class runs. However, a hard charge went wrong as he slid sideways into the barriers at Ashes Bend.

This left Groves retaining a tenuous hold on his title with another win, while Moran equalled his lowest result of the year with fifth.

The outcome of the afternoon run-off was again dictated by the poor luck of Ranson. After departing the startline as normal, Ranson then coasted in having broken a gear. The car was returned to the paddock but time was just too tight to effect repairs and Groves was unable to take to the track.

Moran had qualified fastest and so started last for the run-off, and finished second to put the 2008 title beyond doubt.

  • The action resumes at Gurston Down on Sunday, September 14, when the Gates of Brockenhurst Gurston Down Championship and the BARC (SW) Top Ten Challenge reach their climax with local drivers in contention for both.