MOTORSPORT: Another win for Barnes at Oulton Park

Ryhall racer Anthony Barnes is running away with the Caterham Tracksport Championship.
Anthony Barnes on the podium with his family. Picture: Jon Bryant/snappyracers.comAnthony Barnes on the podium with his family. Picture: Jon Bryant/snappyracers.com
Anthony Barnes on the podium with his family. Picture: Jon Bryant/snappyracers.com

On Saturday at the picturesque Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire, Barnes gained a first and second place to extend his lead in the championship to over 70 points.

In the 10 races so far this year, Barnes has now gained five wins and five second places.

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Despite only qualifying third for the first race, Barnes made an impressive start and was in second place by the first corner at Old Hall.

Anthony Barnes in action. Picture Jon Bryant/snappyracers.comAnthony Barnes in action. Picture Jon Bryant/snappyracers.com
Anthony Barnes in action. Picture Jon Bryant/snappyracers.com

With the impressive ex-champion Al Calvert returning for this race it made for a three-way battle for the lead for the first 15 minutes before Calvert had to retire with a damaged radiator.

After having to drop back to avoid the ailing Calvert, Barnes then set off in pursuit of the leader Daniel Bremner and completed his last four laps at lap record pace to haul in the race leader by the last lap.

But Barnes was unable to overtake for the lead at the last corner at Lodge due to some very robust defending from the determined Scottish youngster and finished in second place by eight hundredths of a second. A new lap record for the Oulton Park circuit was some consolation for second place.

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Race two saw Barnes start in second place determined to top the podium. Immediately settling into second place behind Bremner, they both pulled away from the main pack and for 25 minutes the crowd were treated to some very spirited but fair racing with both drivers determined not to yield places.

Anthony Barnes in action. Picture Jon Bryant/snappyracers.comAnthony Barnes in action. Picture Jon Bryant/snappyracers.com
Anthony Barnes in action. Picture Jon Bryant/snappyracers.com

Eventually the pressure seemed to tell on Bremner and a mistake at the chicane at Hislops saw him clip the tyres and fly off into the gravel leaving Barnes to complete the remaining three laps to claim a well-deserved victory.

The penultimate race weekend is at Croft in North Yorkshire on the weekend of the 10th and 11th September.

Highlights of Barnes’ race will be shown on the Motors TV channel at 6.25 pm on Saturday August 20.