Steven Parker crowned 2024 CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Champion
The 2024 CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship completed its 41st season at Oulton Park on the 12th October. A packed entry of 32 cars turned up at the Cheshire circuit to fight over the honours still to be decided. The overall title was still up for grabs and whilst there were six drivers with a chance of taking the title, realistically only Lee Bull in his Renault Clio 182 and Steven Parker in his Ford Fiesta ST had a good chance of being victorious come the end of the day. Before the lights went out on the first of two races Lee led by a single point but Steven was playing his joker, giving him double points, and had the advantage.
Both drivers survived the first race, Steven took a class win with fastest lap whereas Lee had to give second best to Paul Rotheroe and had to settle for second in class. The upshot being that it was Steven’s title to lose, he really only had to only finish third in class to reign supreme as he led Lee by 9 points. The weather gods threw a curve ball before the race with a rain shower just to make it difficult for everyone, although it was almost dry as the race got underway.
Both contenders started well and led their respective classes for a few laps but then Steven started to slow and drop back. It looked like Lee was now in the pound seat as he still led his class but he was immediately passed by Paul Rotheroe which meant the 8 points (remember double points in the last round) for second would not be enough (unless he could get fastest lap). However, the lap after Steven stopped out on track, Lee did exactly the same. So both contenders were forced to see out the race with broken cars! Steven could not believe his luck when he noticed that Lee was not circulating.
As a result of these two DNF’s it was back to the points after the first race (although Steven did manage fastest lap before retiring so did get 2 extra points) and Steven Parker was crowned 2024 CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Champion, with Lee Bull runner up and Paul Masters in his Westfield Wide Body third.
John Leck