......in Porto Historic Grand Prix

Alex Holbrook [Lockie and Saul take pre-war glory in Porto Historic Grand PrixCalum Lockie and Roger Saul scored a dramatic victory on the Porto street circuit during the Motor Racing Legends Pre-War Sports Car Race on Saturday (9 July).Sharing Saul's magnificent Alfa Romeo P3 Grand Prix car in the 80-minute race around the daunting street circuit in Portugal, they overcame major gear selection problems to re-take the lead in the closing laps of the race and score a memorable victory."The circuit was absolutely fantastic," said Lockie of the 4.2km street circuit that re-created the venue for the 1958 and 1960 Portuguese Grands Prix. "It was a massive undertaking to build the track, and there was certainly no margin for error!"Friday offered the teams a 30-minute free practice session, so Lockie went out first to learn the circuit. He managed five laps and posted a best lap in 2m35s. Saul then took over, but the session was red-flagged on his first lap and not re-started. "Roger was very pragmatic about it," said Lockie, but it meant that Saul headed into qualifying having not completed a flying lap of the track."We reckoned that the first lap of qualifying would be the only clear lap and that was how it happened; my first flying was a 2m32.4s, which put us on pole by nine seconds!" Saul then took over for the rest of the session, learning the circuit in the process. "Roger really got going well and was putting in great lap times in heavy traffic, which was a good race pace."For the 80-minute race on Saturday afternoon, Saul started and led the first lap with Martin Stretton in pursuit. But the Alfa was missing when the leaders completed their second lap and Saul finally emerged towards the tail of the field and heading for the pits. The car was stuck in first gear, but just as Roger pitted he was able to select third gear and so went straight back onto the track again. It was now a case of running the whole lap in third gear and they were a lap down when Saul pitted after 30 minutes for the driver change.Lockie now rejoined, trying to find other than third gear in the three-speed box. The three first gear corners on each lap were a real struggle, with the car pulling just 800rpm in third gear! "I just kept pushing and then managed to get second, which was probably the best gear. But then there was a big noise from the gearbox and I only had first. But after another try I got third again and so I kept going!"Despite all the problems, the Alfa was moving up the order. "It was all about risk management," said Calum. "I was pushing hard, but taking no risks." Gradually, they moved up onto the leader board and then Lockie spotted the BMW 328 of David Franklin, which he thought was leading the race. Bit by bit he caught the BMW, which then shot up an escape road with brake failure, leaving the Alfa in the lead with four laps to go.It was a victory against the odds and Saul and Lockie received a tremendous reception from the large and enthusiastic crowd during their parade lap. "That was probably one of my most exciting races," said Lockie, after his first experience of racing on a street circuit."A big thank you is due to Roger for allowing me to share his fabulous car, as well as the crew of Spence, Melindi, Monty, David and Steve. Also, thanks to the Automobile Club of Portugal and the city of Porto for organising such an incredible event!"

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