THE much-anticipated first round of the Isle of Wight Car Club’s 2019 Championship roared into action in Newport.

Drivers were raring to go to try to get championship points on the board early on, but with high winds and heavy showers to contend with, they had to battle for every point on the tricky Isle of Wight College car park course — a mix of open sweeping sections suitable for more powerful cars, but which finished with a fiendish super-tight slalom towards the stop box, which suited smaller, more agile cars.

Michael Marrison in his stripped out Fiesta made a great impression, posting very competitive times early on, as well as new member Liam Wildish in his classic VW Beetle, hiding a Subaru Impreza engine.

The podium successes were Class 5’s Ryan Munt, who came first with a three-second lead driving his Locost, beating Chris Wilson in his single seater special, and Class 3’s Adam Greenen, in his classic Mini, to come third.

Joe Moore won Class 4, while Louise Wren took the accolade for being fastest lady of the day, driving her Ford Puma.

Wayne Hole, in his MX5, took Class 2 honours.

The next event will be held in the grounds of Ventnor Botanic Gardens this coming Sunday.

  • If you would like to spectate or even compete, please visit the club’s website for more details: www.iowcc.co.uk