Video: Mustang limps across the line for last gasp victory

27th March 2020

Seán Ward

Imagine you’re standing on the pit wall for the Gerry Marshall Trophy when your co-driver starts the final lap of the race. You’re in first position and there’s a safe enough gap behind you to second and third. Then, without warning, you look up at the TV screens to see your car slowing just two corners from a podium finish.

There’s nothing you can do – the win is slipping away in the final minute-and-a-half of the race. Then, again without warning, the car gets back up to race pace and crosses the line to take the win. Sounds horrible, right? Well that’s exactly what happened to Craig Davies at the 77th Goodwood Members’ Meeting.

After a solid opening stint, Davies handed over his 1970 302 Boss Mustang to team-mate Andy Newall. The duo were on track for a dominant win, with drivers like Neil Jani, Nic Minassian, Karun Chandhok, Steve Soaper and Nick Padmore behind, when, for no apparent reason whatsoever, the car decided to have a bit of a crisis. Mercifully Newall was able to get the car going again, but can you imagine the gut-wrenching feeling that would have come had the car not restarted? To have come so close and fall at the final hurdle? The unpredictability of motorsport is a wonderful thing.