Le Mans great Tom Kristensen took a last-gasp victory to top a Goodwood touring car field that included ex-Formula 1 drivers, a NASCAR legend and IndyCar champions.
The first St Mary’s Trophy race for pre-1960 tin-tops was for the star guest drivers and Steve Soper started on pole in the Ford Fairlane he shared with Alex Thistlethwayte.
Triple British Touring Car champion Gordon Shedden (Jaguar Mk1) and 2013 title winner Andrew Jordan (Austin A40) started alongside the big V8, while Kristensen’s Ford Thunderbird and current BTCC points leader Tom Ingram (A40) formed row two.
Kristensen held fifth early on as the fast-starting Shedden led. Soper, who fell to fourth at the start, quickly worked his way through the less-powerful machines and took the lead from the Jaguar down Lavant Straight on lap four of 16.
Soper looked in control as he edged away but Kristensen was on a charge. He took a struggling Shedden for second just before half distance and was soon on Soper’s tail.
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Soper upped his pace, but the two V8s remained together until Kristensen got a better run through Fordwater with two minutes remaining. The Thunderbird slipped down the inside approaching St Mary’s and a brief off for Soper in traffic on the final tour handed TK a 2.3-second victory.
Tom Kristensen ahead of Steve Soper, Goodwood St Mary’s Trophy
Photo by: Kevin Wood / LAT Images
“I made a promise to my son I wouldn’t touch another car and I’ve known Steve a long time,” said Kristensen.
Shedden slipped to an eventual ninth, leaving a tight dice for third between Jordan and Ingram. Jordan held on by just 0.2s to complete the podium.
“It’s good racing someone like Tom, who is world-class and absolutely on top of his game at the moment,” said Jordon. “He even helped bump-draft me past Shedden!”
After another fine tussle, reigning BTCC champion Jake Hill (A40) pipped the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Ti of 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button to fifth.
In a star-studded field that also included Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon, seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson was 14th in an Austin A105 Westminster, while Karun Chandhok was the top 848cc Mini in 15th.
The final St Mary’s Trophy result will be decided on aggregate following the second race for the car owners on Sunday,
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