THE 2012 European Championship event beat initial bad weather at Northampton last weekend and two superb days of racing were enjoyed with three new European champions crowned and three inaugural Bev Greenhalf Trophy winners.

The BriSCA F1s saw 417 Mike James lead the most laps in their title race but the big names soon took over with 4 Dan Johnson taking up the running, but in the closing stages 84 Tom Harris bumpered him aside to take his first European title and confirm himself as the top driver on tarmac so far in 2012. Johnson was followed home by 55 Craig Finnikin and 515 Junior Wainman, while it was not a good weekend for the Dutch contingent as none of them finished the title race while H148 Danny Smidt slammed into the fence and rolled on the very first turn of the weekend but was fortunately OK. White grader 229 Derek Brown was also a star of the weekend with two heat wins, while following an excellently observed tribute to commentating legend Bev Greenhalf it was 259 Paul Hines who somewhat fittingly took the race named in his honour on Sunday.

The F2 title race was led away by 59 Lee Dimmick but 7 Gordon Moodie made the most of a favourable grid draw and took over with 921 Jack Aldridge following, but the yellows then flew with H265 Mike Geraedts across the back straight and after the flags came out Moodie hit his stationary car. Luckily the Scot escaped without serious damage and was able to pull away again on the restart, Aldridge enjoying a good scrap with NI925 Craig McConnell, Dimmick and 700 Adam Rubery for second. Moodie only just made it to the flag as his engine ran sick over the last three laps, but such was his advantage he made it home. The rest of the weekend saw a large variety of winners, former Incarace Ministox man 817 Tim Bailey breaking his duck in the formula on Saturday night, while the Bev Greenhalf Trophy went to 761 Richard Bowyer.

The Rebels were once again in fantastic form but their European title race saw 41 Ali Topley take one of the most dominant wins ever seen in the class as he led the field home by over a quarter of a lap for his first major title in the formula. 81 Lyndon Rushby enjoyed a roller-coaster weekend but he struck lucky in the title race for second and 656 Adam Joyce took third, his brother 156 James taking the Bev Greenhalf Trophy.

Overall a fantastic weekend of racing; our thanks go out to all drivers and officials concerned for a very well presented event.

2012 European Championship Weekend – Race Winners Roll of Honour

Saturday 14th July
Rebels Heat 1 81 Lyndon Rushby
F2 Heat 1 7 Gordon Moodie
F1 Heat 1 229 Derek Brown
F2 Heat 2 218 Rob Soeak
Rebels Heat 2 601 Mark Wareham
F1 Heat 2 417 Mike James
F2 Heat 3 886 Chris Bradbury
F1 Cons 73 Rob Cowley
F2 Cons1 186 George Turriki
F2 Cons 2 20 David Tagell
Rebels Final 656 Adam Joyce
F1 Final 195 Dean Whitwell
F2 Final 761 Richard Bowyer
F1 GN 12 Michael Scriven
F2 GN 817 Tim Bailey

Sunday 15th July
F2 Euro 7 Gordon Moodie
Rebels Euro 41 Ali Topley
F1 Euro 84 Tom Harris
F2 Heat 1 7 Gordon Moodie
F2 Heat 2 115 Michael Green
Rebels Heat 1 81 Lyndon Rushby
F1 Heat 1 259 Paul Hines
F1 Heat 2 229 Derek Brown
F2 Heat 3 886 Chris Bradbury
Rebels Heat 2 41 Ali Topley
F1 Cons 37 Chris Cowley
F2 Cons 854 Robbie Dawson
Reb I/C 156 James Joyce
F1 I/C 259 Paul Hines
F2 I/C 761 Richard Bowyer
F1 GN 150 Mick Sworder
F2 GN 115 Michael Green