MaX5 Rounds 11 / 12 Oulton Park

4th Aug 2007

Qualifying:

Paul Sheard qualified poorly in 9th place, he couldn’t find the required pace throughout the session, the car seemingly refusing to pull him out of the corners wth any urgency. A dyno test followed and revealed the engine to be down on power … at least this could be rectified in time for the 1st race of the day.

The rest of the team put in a cracking effort with best performances to date: Justin Newnam 12th, Paula Sheard 13th, Steve Price 15th and James Maxfield 25th.

Race 1:

At this stage in the Championship and with a starting position so far down the grid for race 1 Paul had his work cut out to stay in contention. A good start was had and by Cascades he had already made up 3 or 4 places. By the end of lap 1 he was up to 5th place but nearest Championship rival Johnny Greensmith followed close behind. On lap 2 Paul fought his way past Jez Clark coming out of the right hander after Cascades then continued to make progress to take the lead by lap 5. At this stage in the race Johnny Greensmith was still down in 4th position and things looked promising in terms of reducing the Championship points differential. However, Greensmith put in a valiant effort to claw his way through the field to get back behind Sheard. The race culminated with 5 or 6 laps of Sheard and Greensmith leading, the pack falling away behind … Sheard took the chequered flag.

Paula Sheard came in 10th, a stunning result. Justin Newnam 15th, James Maxfield 20th. Steve Price retired from the race on lap 6.

Race 2:

Paul Started on pole, Greensmith one place behind. The front row pair extended a lead from the pack as the race progressed. It was in the last 3rd of the race where things started to heat up, with Greensmith getting the better run out of Old Hall on every lap that followed. However, each time Sheard managed to get back through at Cascades and finally took the chequered flag in front.

Paula Sheard came in 15th, Justin Newnam 16th, Steve Price 21st and James Maxfield 24th.