Cliff Hawkins, right, winner

Air Races at Swansea Airport

THE Bill Entress Trophy and Gower Cup races both took place over the May Spring Bank Holiday at Swansea Airport.

A total of 16 racers competed in the events over the two days, including three rookies.
The race got underway at 1500 on the Saturday. First out onto the 28-mile course was Swansea Sport Flying's Rod Jenkins in an Ikarus C42, followed seven minutes later by Martin Kellett in his Rallye.
The final racer to depart was Tony Benyon in a Beech Baron BE58.

The 20kt winds didn't affect the handicapping too much apart from the Rallye, which finished 70 seconds in front of the TB20 - flown by Cliff Hawkins at 189.08mph. Cliff was eventually declared the winner of the Bill Entress Trophy, while the Rallye was excluded for exceeding its declared speed, later put down to the fact that Martin had flown the practice round with a passenger and then flown solo in the race.

Sunday's racers took off at 1400 and changes to wind conditions made for a more exciting race. Tony Benyon flew across the line first, beating newcomer Simon Longstaff to win the Gower Cup. Race regular John Kelsall came in third in his RV7.

W: www.airraceuk.org
 

Words: Kirsten Corrigan