HISTORY IN THE MAKING
LEE FAIRHURST
Back in July Lee had been
running well in the semi-final at
Birmingham, but, after a restart
mid-race Lee retired to the centre
green to watch Sworder and
Harris fight it out for a front row
start in the big race. Technical
problems with the fuel had meant
his only chance of a place on the
world final grid was the last
chance qualifier on
championship day. Ironically his
dad Derrick qualified 10th at
Birmingham and would have
missed out if young Lee had
made it through.
On Saturday afternoon and on
the
day
of the
“Big
One”
the
last
chance
race for
the entire
semi-final non-qualifiers
were run. After
battling through this big field of
cars his hopes were dashed as
he crossed the finish line in third
place, and, as only the first two
were put through, his last chance
had gone
Or so he thought!
As we all watched the drivers
lining up for the big race, Lee
22
Fairhurst drove onto the track.
He was First Reserve and it
transpired that his dad’s (Derrick
#218) car had engine problems
and had withdrawn, allowing Lee
onto the back of the grid.
The race has been written about
elsewhere so here’s the crux of
the story. Lee started the race
on the back row of 33 cars. On
restart #2, he’s put
back on the back row.
As the green drops at
the start #3, Lee still
hasn’t made it into the top
10, but by the restart #4
he’s in
fifth
A simplification you might think,
and it is; Lee raced with the head
of Lundy, the skill of Smithy and
the heart of Wainman, I think he
might be a robot!
History in the making I said
earlier ... Only once before has
the winner of the championship
started on the back row
and
I’m
sure
no
driver
has
place. The final
restart sees Lee
in 2nd place and
although he’s punted wide
and loses a few places, he’s
soon back in the mix and leading
with eight laps to go. After a
couple of laps, Lee had pulled
enough of a gap so as not to
worry about a last bend attack.
qualified the way
Lee Fairhurst #217 did.
A great couple of days racing
and some great drives from all
the competitors makes this world
final for me, the best one I have
seen.
THE EDITOR - GLENN
Results:
1st-#217 2nd-#4 3rd-#515
4th-#484 5th-#12 6th-#217
7th-#390 8th-#462 9th-#22
10th-#21.
Tel: 0844 840 8104