Rayson facing uphill battle at Petit Bot
SCOTT RAYSON expects an uphill battle to defend his Petit Bot title on Saturday.
This edition of the traditional hill climb season finale has a pleasant forecast – contrasting with the horrendous rain of many past hostings – and Rayson won last year in similarly welcoming conditions.
Yet although the usually dominant racing cars are excluded from the particularly tight, technical hill, the non-transaxle driver can count on fierce opposition from Tim Torode.
After a crash in Wales, followed by car issues in other events this season, Rayson does not consider himself the favourite.
‘With racing cars not being allowed, then it does allow the likes of my old non-transaxle Tim Torode and Peter Jory to have a shot at getting FTD,’ he said.
‘I would expect Tim to beat me because he has been racing really well all year, and I haven’t got the seat time I need for Petit Bot.
‘It’s a very fast, tight, unforgiving place.’
Rayson is used to racing at big events all over the UK, but the south-coast hill still holds a special place in his heart.
‘Petit Bot is still the one that gives me the biggest adrenaline rush,’ he said.
‘It’s simply because it’s fast, and if you make a small mistake, you’re going to have a crash.
‘It’s a proper challenge.’
And the lack of rain this year apparently offers little respite, with Rayson adding: ‘You think because it’s dry, it’s easier, but it’s not – you go faster.’
Several other record-breaking drivers and riders will be in action at the season finale.
Off-island, Guernsey motorsport legend Andy Priaulx enjoyed a triumph in the alternative focus of historic racing. He joined Miles Griffiths and Gordon Shedden to win the Spa Six Hours, open to pre-1965 GT and Touring cars. Driving a Ford GT40, they finished a lap clear of Andrew Jordan’s second-placed crew.
