Shedden Wins Shortened SEAT Cupra Race

13 July 2003

As the time ticked towards the 18.30 race curfew at Oulton Park, Gordon Shedden drove with one eye on his wrist watch to win round six of the Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship.
 
With delays earlier in the day, the 11 lap race had already been shortened to eight laps. Originally scheduled for 16.35, the SEAT race began at 18.20 and just four laps were completed before the organisers brought out the chequered flag at 18.28.
 
Despite this, it had been a very exciting race. Shedden took up Stefan Hodgetts’s position on the grid, as the loaded backed driver’s car could not be repaired following his earlier race accident. Both Gordon and pole-sitter Robert Huff made great starts, with the Scottish Sun driver out-sprinting Huff into Old Hall. With Gavin Smith, James Pickford, Stephen Colbert and Emmet O’Brien close behind, only the chequered flag stopped what would surely have been a fantastic race develop.
 
Shedden honoured his promise to record his first victory in the Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship – and set fastest lap.  Huff was happy with second in the race and his performance over the weekend, which has seen him extend his Championship lead, while Gavin had to race to the airport to catch his flight home to Dublin – happy with yet another podium finish.
 
Shedden said: “It was a real morale boost moving into the second grid slot and I was confident I could win. I made a cracking start and from then on I was driving with my glove rolled down so I could see the time on my watch, because I thought they’d stop the race at about twenty passed six! I had a fair amount in reserve, so I’m happy with my performance. The car’s been great all weekend – it couldn’t have been better.”
 
Huff said: “I made a good start, but Gordon made a mega one. I could have challenged down the inside of Old Hall, but I need to consolidate my lead in the Championship so I’d rather finish second than not finish at all. It’s a shame the race was shortened because everything was going well, but it’s been a good weekend and I’ve pulled away from Stefan in the Championship. I’d rather not pull away in the way I have, but these things happen in motor racing.”
 
Smith finished third, with Colbert fourth, O’Brien fifth and Julian Westwood rounding off the top six.
 
James Pickford was running fourth before a turbo pipe came off and he came into the pits.
 
As the race was so short, the Championship Stewarts will meet next week to make a decision on what points, if any, will be allocated.

See series calendar for SEAT Cupra Championship 2003

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