TGP rivals entertain truck crowds

Andrew Frankel

FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix title rivals Bob Berridge and Martin Stretton enthralled 250,000 spectators at the Nurburgring on July 18 with a sensational display of on-the-limit Formula One racing. Berridge’s Williams FW08 was but 0.08scc quicker than Stretton’s six-wheeled Tyrrell P34 in qualifying, and their battle continued in the traditional ADAC International Truck GP round.

For the first half Stretton clung to Berridge, occasionally forcing the Tyrrell’s nose alongside. A suspension problem forced Stretton to slacken his pace however, and he finished seven seconds behind.

Steve Hitchins recovered superbly from an early spin, hurtling his Lotus 91 back from eighth to grab the third podium place after a mighty dust-up with James King’s March 761, which was dynamite in a straight line.

Series newcomer Ralph Moog brought his ex-works Tyrrell 009 test car through to an excellent fifth on home soil, ahead of a spirited Steve Hartley in his Arrows A6. Local man Erwin Derichs claimed Pre-1972 honours in his March 701.