Mark Speller and Paddy Murray were the major winners in round ten of the John Cooper Challenge at Rockingham on Sunday (29 August). In a tremendously exciting race, Speller won the MINI S Class while Murray took Club Class victory.However, in terms of championship positions it was Arthur Forster and Gary Robertshaw who scored the most significant results. Forster tigered through to second in the S Class to draw level on points with Martin Wallbank, while Robertshaw took second in the Club Class to tighten his grip on the class title.Andy Sayle and Murray claimed the respective pole positions in qualifying on Sunday morning. "I just love the track; it’s got every type of corner," said a delighted Sayle after taking pole from Wallbank by just five-hundredths of a second. It was almost as close in the Club Class as Murray pipped Barney Craggs by three-tenths. "I've raced here once before so I had an idea of the way round," reckoned Murray.On a damp but fast-drying track for the race, the pack stormed into the first corner and instantly Sayle was in trouble as his car spun to a halt. "I don't think I lost it, I think I was touched," said Sayle, who rejoined last and immediately started a mighty recovery drive.Forster and Wallbank had a dramatic first couple of corners, twice making contact as the pack jostled for position. However, Speller had made a fine start and took the lead as Smith and Wallbank chased. Wallbank briefly nosed ahead of Speller, but flew over the top of the chicane kerbs starting the second lap and lost momentum.While Speller edged clear, it was Smith on the move and he worked through to second before setting off after the race leader. That left Wallbank and Forster to resume their battle, but Forster would eventually work clear of his title rival. Smith twice managed to get the lead, but twice Speller edged back ahead. Meanwhile, Forster's pace took him ever closer to the leaders and he dived ahead of Smith on the penultimate lap. But Speller was secure to score his first win of 2004."It was very tough! It was good to get the first win and hopefully I can repeat it at Oulton Park," said Mark. Forster was pleased with his result, too, as it puts him level on points with Wallbank who took fourth behind Smith and ahead of the recovering Sayle. "That was a brilliant race! I hope it stays level until the final race," added Forster.The action in the Club Class also kept the Rockingham crowd well entertained. Murray drove a superb race to lead from the front, but in the closing stages Gary Robertshaw hunted him down and was just a second behind after 25 minutes of flat-out racing. "I tried to save a little for the last three or four laps," admitted Murray. "I knew Gary was coming and I was just hoping it was the last lap. I'm so, so happy!"Robertshaw, having qualified fifth for his first ever race at Rockingham, stormed up the order and closed the gap to Murray in the final laps. "I think we did have the overall speed to win today, but it was a good race. It should make it difficult for them to catch us now," he added of the championship position.Third place in the Club Class was the centre of a mammoth contest, with as many as six cars in contention and countless place changes. Through it all, James Loukes emerged to take the place, but behind him five more cars ran neck and neck to the flag. Stephen Campbell, Gary Kounnis and Barney Craggs fanned out virtually three abreast over the finish line in an amazing formation finish. Less than a tenth of a second split the three cars as Graham Parsons and Jonathan Shepherd looked for a way to make it five abreast on the wide pit straight at Rockingham!There is little respite for the competitors in the John Cooper Challenge as the action now moves to Oulton Park (Cheshire) for the 11th and penultimate race of the season on Saturday, 4 September.