Slice of history for Partington

6:48pm Thursday 29th May 2008

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IAN Parkington created his own piece of Formula Ford history when he stood on the top of the podium at the Anglesey circuit.

For the Barrowford-based businessman claimed his first-ever race win in the North West Championship - and he became the first driver to win the pre-90 class driving a class D car.

"It was a great feeling to get the chequered flag, although it was a nerve-wracking last lap!" said Ian, who has only been racing for two-and-a-half years.

Bidding to retain his class title for a third successive year, Parkington was in fine form during qualifying, putting his unsponsored Reynard 84 on the front row of the grid for the 15-minute race.

Although pole-position man Nigel Thompson made a better start from the green light, he then gifted the lead to Parkington when he promptly went off on the first corner.

"Nigel just out-braked himself and handed me the lead," explained Ian, who is managing director of Ballpark Engineering in Barrowford.

"I then had sixteen laps to keep my head under heavy pressure from the others. I think it was the longest 15 minutes of my life, and I set the fastest lap of the race and created a new class course record just trying to stay ahead."

Although Ian was unable to repeat his performance in the second of his two races, he still managed an excellent second place to extend his lead in the series.

"Ironically, although I didn't win, it was a more exciting race as the lead kept swapping between three of us," he added."

Next round of the Carphone Warehouse Formula Ford (NW) Championship is at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire, on June 14-15.