Cardwell’s saloon title

Press, 27 March 1979, Page 36

Cardwell’s saloon title

Tony Cardwell showed a dirty pair of heels to his rivals to win the 1979 Canterbury dirt-track saloon-car title at Wooford Glen speedway at the week-end. Cardwell accelerated his powerful Mustang II into the lead from pole position at the start of the 20-]ap final and was never headed. Behind Cardwell there was a desperate battle for the minor placings, with Dennis Bolt (Torana hatchback), Royce Clive (Camaro), Dave Sangster (Monaro) and Doug Smith (Chewy Monza)

locked nose-to-tail for the whole race. They finished in that order. Speedway newcomer, Trevor Crowe, who already has a formidable reputation in circuit-racing and rally circles, showed impressive form in an ageing Mustang in only his second appearance. '

Crowe was shunted out of the first elimination heat but won his repechage. However, he opted out of the final after discovering that the Mustang’s rear axle had been badly bent during the firstrace crash.

The Woodford Glen promotor, Mr Errol Inwood, said yesterday that the meeting was the last night event cf the 1978/79 season, but that some Sunday meetings would still be held. “There’s no question of us cutting back our programme,” said Mr Inwood. “We’re a business, whereas

the other branches of motorsport which are cutting back are amateur-based.” Mr Inwood said that the week-end petrol ban seemed to be helping Woodford Glen rather than adversely affecting crowd numbers.