Crawford to be handed Sevens title

This was despite Crawford having a poor start to the championship season, not scoring any points in the first two races of the season in March at Kirkistown.

2010 was the inaugural year of the N.I. Sevens Challenge, a competition for small, motorbike engined, ‘seven’ style cars, sponsored by PM Services (N.I.) Ltd. Held over 11 races, one sprint and one hillclimb, 18 drivers battled it out for the title.

In fact it was title rival Richard Morgan who got off to a flying start winning the first four races, but Crawford’s remarkable comeback started at Mondello Park in May when he won the second race of the day there in impressive style.

More victories followed at Kirkistown and a solid fourth at Eagles Rock Hillclimb, near Downhill on the north coast, kept him in touch.

Inverness based driver Ryan Magennis was also mounting a challenge for the overall championship, scoring consistently in the races and winning both races outright in June at Kirkistown.

Indeed it was Rookie of the Year, Magennis, who held an 18 point lead going into the last three events. With 20 points for a win it was going to be a tough task for Crawford to come back, however a dramatic crash with one race left to go meant Magennis was unable to do anything about Crawford scoring maximum points and taking the title.

Mark says, “After a disastrous start with two DNF’s I managed to get consistent results throughout the season to end 2010 on a high. It was especially pleasing given this was the inaugural year of the N.I. Sevens Challenge.”

The 2011 Saville Machinery and Motorhomes N.I. Sevens Racing Challenge starts with a double header at Kirkistown on Saturday March 26.