Westbourne Motorsport’s season got off to a flying start on Grand National Day with front row domination in all classes. Luke Herbert and Sam Randon shared the Michelin Series Clio Race series pole positions and Sarah Franklin qualified well in her first event for the team in the Road Series category.
On to the Saturday racing ……… well it just got better. In the Michelin Clio series, Sam Randon made a flying start from pole with Luke Herbert converting fifth to second by the first corner. Sam was caught out by an earlier fuel spillage at Piff Paff corner sending him wide and an inevitable tour of the banked oval. Luke therefore took the lead and never looked challenged for the remainder of the race finishing an impressive 4 seconds – light years in a Clio Race. Sarah came home strongly in the road series category in fourth position.
Super Sunday
Although the day was dry, extremely high winds made conditions difficult.
For Michelin Clio Sam Randon was again on pole with Luke Herbert lining up third. Both made dream starts and had achieved a one, two by the first corner. As ever the action was frantic and Paul Streather split the pair on lap seven of twelve. Back markers intervened and whilst Luke and Paul made it through Sam was baulked on several occasions from the lead battle. In the closing laps Sam was gaining when Paul Streather lost control of his car under braking for Deene leaving Sam to regain second for a Westbourne 1,2 finish.
Sarah Franklin did well to regain ground after a technical problem on the warm up lap saw her start from the pit lane.
Race three saw Luke Herbert on pole position with Sam back in fifth. Another dream start saw the boys making 1st and 3rd by corner one. Luke pulled a large gap while a four way battle for second raged with Andrew Jordan just able to pull out a small gap from the pack. Luke had a commanding lead but may a small error under braking into Deene hairpin locking up and loosing his lead to Jordan in the process.
Within three laps both Luke and Sam had hunted down Jordan who tried in to defend his position.
Jordan was squeezed out as both Luke and Sam dived down the inside for Deene three laps later, but the delay in passing had given hard charging Paul Streather the opportunity to join the battle. Sam’s tyres were now worn as his best had been used on his pole position races so Paul passed and chased after Luke, nipping past him on the last lap leaving Westbourne team mates with second and third for the final race.
Adjustments to Sarah’s car put her right in the mix for the final race and she was in five car battle for third. Two cars locked wheels which bent Sarah’s steering and she dropped back with inevitable handling issues.
Luke Herbert:
“It’s a great start to the season, two wins and another podium is fantastic and really good to have a Westbourne one-two with Sam [Randon] in the second race. We’re really pleased to be leading the championship, that’s what we aimed to do, and hopefully we can carry this on at Thruxton.”Sam Randon:
“I’m so much happier today than Saturday, it was a shocker to go off on fuel on the track – I’m really happy to have raced to the podium today. Two podiums from three races is great and shows we’re in the fight for the championship”
In all a dream start for the team with lots of new faces both driver and mechanics ……. It’s going to be an exciting year for sure.