Kiwis fly to Masters Sports car success

New Zealanders Roger Wills and Brandon Hartley scored sports car honours at Spa-Francorchamps today as they claimed honours in the Masters Sportscar Race, part of the annual Spa Six Hours weekend.

There was nothing flightless about their performance as they soared above the opposition to take a maiden Masters win for their McLaren M1C, ahead of the similar car of Gregor Fisken/Peter Hardman and Martin Stretton/David Coplowe (Lola T70 Mk3B), which started on pole position after a great effort by Stretton. Coplowe dropped to 12th, but Stretton put in his typical blast through the pack and bagged third at the end.

A blown engine, and a track coated with oil, forced Chris Scraggs ex-Broadspeed Jaguar XJ12C into retirement in the Masters Touring Car and GT race. It also caused a race stoppage, which allowed Mark Bates (Porsche 911 RSR) to take race honours from the Penske team-liveried Chevrolet Corvette of Trevor Knight/Tony Jardine and third was Leo Voyazides (Ford Falcon). Leo took Pre-66 honours ahead of Henry Mann (Ford Mustang) and the immense Mercury Comet Cyclone of Roger Wills/Brendon Hartley.

Simon Fish took a second GP Masters win of the weekend as he fended off a stern challenge from Jean-Michel Martin (Fittipaldi F8) who attacked for the lead at the last corner. Fish (Ensign N180) hung on to win, while Nico Bindels (Lotus 87) took third.

A lively Gentlemen Drivers Pre-66 GT race was won by Nigel Greensall/Karsten le Blanc (AC Cobra) after the similar car of Leo Voyazides/Simon Hadfield retired with fuel pump failure. That allowed the Lotus XI of Danny Wright/Philip Walker to bag second from the well-driven Lotus Elan of Graham Wilson/Andy Wilson.

Masters Historic Racing moves to Donington Park on October 13/14 for its Championship Finals Weekend.


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