Keith Boyd Autotest Report

18 May 2019

Veteran Grimes Clinches Autotest Win

Veteran competitor Chris Grimes, in his Mini Special was pushed hard all day last Saturday  in changing weather conditions but he held it together to outdo a hard-charging Steven Ferguson in his Vauxhall-engined Mini Special and clinch the Keith Boyd Autotest by a mere 0.6 seconds. Enniskillen Motor Club with Clerk of the Course, Brian D’Arcy at the helm, ran a very slick round of the McMillan ANICC N Ireland Championship Autotest on the Severfield Yard near St Angelo at the weekend. The event, The Keith Boyd Autotest kindly sponsored by Dermot Brewster Plumbing and Heating, was round five of the above mentioned championship.  The autotest was in fact three events in one; namely the ANNIC N Ireland Championship Autotest, then the ANICC Auotest Clubman Challenge and thirdly the ANICC Autotest Advanced Challenge. The Championship category was for ‘Expert’ and ‘Semi-Expert’ drivers with  the Clubman’s Challenge being the  ‘beginners’ category and the Advanced Challenge being the next step up the ladder on the way to ‘Semi-Expert’ / ‘Expert’.

Some twenty three competitors appeared on the day despite the ‘North-West 200’ being held over the same weekend! After some exemplary car control over twelve runs on three tests in the ever-changing conditions as the dusty concrete became extremely slippery after the expected rainfall arrived in mid-afternoon Chris Grimes ran out a worthy winner with Ferguson hot on his heels and the other Grimes brother not far behind in third. With Steven Ferguson splitting the Grimes boys these were also the final positions for Class A; the Front-wheel drive Specials. Next up in Class B; the Rear-wheel drive Specials class came Ashley Lamont with Paul Lowther second. Class C;  Front wheel-drive Small Saloons was won by local ace Jonni McDaid in his immaculate Cleaning Doctor sponsored Mini while in Class D the Rear –wheel drive large saloons class was won by Mark King in his Vauxhall Nova. In the Clubman Challenge Gary Campbell emerged victorious.

The prize-giving was held in the nearby Enniskillen Airport and CofC D’Arcy thanked the airport authorities for the use of their premises and also extended the Club’s gratitude to Severfield for the use of their excellent spacious yard and to Dermot Brewster for his welcome continued support. He concluded by warmly thanking all the officials, timekeepers and marshals whose patience, forbearance and expertise in the changing weather conditions all contributed to a very enjoyable and successful day’s motorsport.