Motorsport: Kerr moves to fifth at Castle Combe

Robbie Kerr has moved into a five-point lead in the Green Flag British Formula 3 Scholarship Class race at a hot and sunny Castle Combe.

The Fred Goddard Racing team driver finished ahead of Northern Ireland’s Matthew Gilmore (Performance Racing) with Kerr’s team mate, Robert Doornbos finishing third.

Michael Keohane spun out of contention on the first lap after his Meritus car was hit by the car of Ernani Judice.

Keohane moved from seventh to join the trio of Doornbos, Kerr and Gilmore as they headed for Quarry Corner, the first corner of the Wiltshire circuit.

They all filed through safely and as they closed up at the chicane, Keohane who was right up on Kerr was sent into instant retirement.

The rear wheel of his Meritus run Weathermaster/Clonakilty Black Pudding/irishmobiles.com car was hit by Ernani Judice.

The incident sent the Clonakilty driver spinning across the track.

The results were a damaged floor and nose cone along with broken side pods, steering damage and a flat wheel.

Judice pitted and rejoined the race as Kerr stretched his lead. The British driver posted the fastest lap and went on to finish an easy winner ahead of Gilmore and Doornbos.

Despite the damage, Keohane’s car will be ready for the second race of the seventh round double header later this afternoon.

Championship standings after Round 7; Race 1:

Robbie Kerr 156 points; Matthew Gilmore 151 points; Michael Keohane 135 points; Mark Mayall 118 points: Robert Doornbos 100 points; Adam Blair 85 points & Kazuki Hoshino 68 points.

In the Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec-S race, Matt Pinny regained the championship lead with a solid win over Northern Ireland’s, Colin Turkington. Dubliner, Eoin Murray finished in eighth place.