Silverstone race report

Goddard blows away the field... and his engine!

Silverstone International Circuit, UK, Monday 21st April 2003: 2002 EuroBOSS Champion Earl Goddard started the season in the way that he finished the last -- with a win -- in his Robin Hooker prepared Benetton Ford HB V8, closely followed by Klaas Zwart whose impressive performance included blasting the outright lap record by 1.5 seconds in his Ascari Judd V10.

Goddard posted his season's intentions in the early morning warm up, took pole in qualifying and then led from the start of the race. But it nearly went horribly wrong as the car began to overheat.

With Zwart in hot pursuit there was little Goddard could do but keep on the pace and luckily for him the engine held out until Woodcote on the final lap. He managed to coast across the finishing line in a cloud of smoke as the engine dramatically blew, obscuring the chequered flag from the cars behind. The gap to Dutchman Zwart was just 2.5 seconds.

The lap record was traded no less than four times during the exciting race with Zwart posting the fastest time (1.08.385 seconds) on lap 9. The pair maintained consistent sub 1:10 second laps throughout.

The battle for the last remaining podium place was fought out by Mathew Mortlock, Max Wakefield and Spanish GT racer Nick Dalli, with Mortlock taking third and Dalli, putting in a highly credible performance in his first EuroBOSS outing, overtaking Wakefield on the final lap to secure fourth spot.

In the EuroBOSS 3000 class Roger Kilty, piloting a Reynard Cosworth, comfortably took the class win ahead of EuroBOSS newcomer Frank Lyons, driving a Lola Cosworth.

The next round of the 2003 EuroBOSS Championship is at Brands Hatch, Kent, on 18th May where, weather permitting, the lap record will once again be put to the test.

Earl Goddard , Driver, Kockney Koi RHR:
"It was great to retain our winning ways and full credit to the team. We knew that Klaas [Zwart] would be quick and it was our plan to go for pole and ensure that we started in the lead. After the re-start I realised that the temperature was high and although I wanted to back off I couldn't because of the proximity of Klaas. On the final lap as I was coming round Woodcote I knew that the engine was about to blow, I selected fifth gear and whammed my foot on the clutch and coasted across the line."

Klaas Zwart , Driver, Team Ascari:
"The car is improving bit-by-bit and the lap record proves how competitive the car can be. We suffered some problems with traction and the tyres started to deteriorate towards the end but overall it was a satisfying performance. I know the car will be competitive and I would expect to be giving Goddard a run for his money as the season develops. It is very pleasing to have taken the lap record by such a margin."

Nick Dalli , Driver, Team Ascari:
"I've been driving in Spanish GT's and am on a learning curve having had little time to familiarise myself with the car. I am pleased with the Ascari Judd and my first competitive outing in these powerful machines. My lap times were improving throughout the race and I know that I can increase my speed by at least a couple of seconds."

Roger Kilty , Driver, Hanline Associates:
"It's a solid start to the season A vacuum developed between those in front and behind and it was just a case of keeping it quick and enjoying the race."

-www.euroboss2003.com