Dwane doubles up to put British drivers in the shade

TULLA driver Robert Dwane tasted victory at the Kirkistown Speed Weekend, the Irish leg of the British Sprint Championship.

A host of drivers made the journey across the Irish Sea for their annual Kirkistown event bringing the best of cars and drivers to compete against what the Irish had to offer.

And Dwane was more than equal to the challenge.

A double header with round 6 of the Northern Irish Sprint Championship taking place on the same day saw the locals mixing it with the visitors.

NI Championship leader Dwane, in his OMS 25, proved to be the man to catch opening the weekend timed runs a full four seconds clear of Terry Holmes of Cornwall in his Lola Judd.

Run 2 saw both improve with Dwane finding one tenth of a second scoring a 107.04 from his earlier time and Terry finding another half of a second by the end of the day on a 110.29 with Pete Goulding of Yorkshire under a second behind Holmes. First blood to the Irish for day one.

A late start on Sunday morning gave drivers a chance to prep their cars and wall the circuit in the sunshine before climbing aboard their speed machines.

Dwane picked up where he left off with a 106.77 with Holmes breaking into the 109s. Run 2 proved to be the fastest all day for most drivers with the Dwane setting a new personal best time of 104.33, putting himself 5 seconds clear of Holmes who decided not to take the final run and preserve the car for the next round.

Simon Bainbridge of Middlesbrough stole the final podium position in his 800hp roaring V8 powered SBR Crono sportscar ahead of Goulding on a 112.21.

The Clare man became the first native in over 20 years to win this weekend and certainly left his mark on the British Championship as he continues to lead his Northern Irish campaign.

Round 7 of this will continue at Nutts Corner near Dundrod on September 24 where he hopes to continue his winning streak.