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MOTORSPORT: Stevens continues his European success story
The long trek to Monza in Italy proved very successful for the Acre Jeans outfit contesting the Cosworth Caterham Masters Championship over the weekend.
For Kentford's Luke Stevens, it was his third consecutive weekend in Europe. The previous week at Spa, in Belgium, he chased the ex-works Talbot 105 in the Motor Racing Legends event.
He was alongside Wickhambrook's Gareth Burnett and the duo took victory in rather wet conditions.
At the weekend, it was time to share again, with Jon Barnes back in the team.
Monza is very quick, and qualifying for the first of the two-hour long races saw them sixth on the grid. This result was despite hitting 157mph with the rev limiter coming in during spells in sixth gear.
From the third row of the grid, Stevens very soon put the car into the lead. However, in the first corner he had been hit from behind, and when he came in to hand over to Barnes, it was decided to change a tyre which was slightly damaged in the incident.
With tyre warmers not permitted it meant Barnes had one cold tyre as he rejoined. As it came up to temperature, so he dropped to third. He lapped at the pace of the leaders but could not pull them in.
The Hay/Richards car won the race, to open a two-point lead in the series over the local crew.
Sunday was very wet, much to the delight of Stevens and Barnes, who had to finish two places ahead of the Hay/Richards team to clinch the title.
Stevens again took the first drive, and was soon involved in a four-car battle for the lead.
In the course of this, Stevens was hit by a French driver. It was close to the pit stop window, and soon after the incident, he came in to hand over. Again a rear tyre had taken most of the impact and was changed.
Being very wet, the temperature was not so critical and Barnes was soon locked in a duel with Richards, who made a mistake and spun into the gravel trap at Parabolica corner.
In the remaining laps, Barnes swept past leader Francois Desprez and went on to take victory by no less than 45 seconds.
The team secured the title in true style having won outright six of the 12 races.
"Last year, Jon was my closest rival. I never thought we would team up and claim the Masters title in its first year – it has been fantastic," said Luke Stevens.
The Team Leos outfit would like to thank Acre Jeans Ltd for making it possible, and Hyperion Motorsport.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
