Elder is fastest again as spectators return to Caithness autocross
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A perfect day of sun and light winds greeted the 30 drivers and mechanics in round four of the Caithness Autocross Club schedule – and, for the first time this season, spectators were present too.
The setting was Stemster Farm, Halkirk, by permission on the Coghill family, with a 40-acre grassy park on offer and a record-breaking track nearly a mile in length.
Competitors achieved some top speeds over the long distance, coupled with clever manoeuvring on four testing built-in corners along the route.
Once again fastest time of the day went to Gary Elder in his powerful Mini Special with a time of 2.10.78.
Second overall was David Shearer in the 1701cc unlimited class, driving an MG ZS, on 2.18.47. Third place went to top sprint racer George Coghill Jnr in a Ford Focus with a time of 2.20.90.
Class one, up to 1000cc, saw Ryan Henderson in a Toyota Yaris take best time on 2.29.53.
The 1001 to 1400 cc class had long-time racer Angus Manson in a MG ZR cross the finishing line on 2.27.88.
In class three, for 1401 to 1700cc, Ben Swanson with his Ford Fiesta came home ahead of the rest in 2.24.37.
Ronald Gunn's MR2 once again took the chequered flag in the rear-wheel-drive class on 2.23.57.
The road-legal class saw Gavin Sutherland clinch top spot with a time of 2.27.72 in a Rover City.
Two ladies entered the Stemster event and put in excellent performances, to the delight of the spectators. Sarah Donn, in a Honda Civic, clocked in at 2.39.31 and Nicola Donn, driving a Toyota Yaris, crossed the finishing line on 2.47.84.
