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Round Nine, Knockhill, 18/19th August 2001 - Sunday's race was much wetter, with persistent light rain and standing water on the track. Barbara made a good run up the hill towards the first corner, fending off an early threat from Craig Rapp, and snuck neatly through the inside again at Duffus Dip. While Chambers and Rice pulled out a modest advantage in first and second, Barbara had clearly got the better of Rapp. "Craig was very well behaved today," said Barbara. "I went a little wide, but he didn't even touch me!"

Once into her rhythm Barbara was able to extend her advantage over Rapp. A series of very fast laps, including one that established a new lap record, also saw her closing on Nigel Rice. For several minutes she was the fastest driver on track, and by lap sixteen she and the two leaders were nose-to-tail through the hairpin. By this time Adrian Slater, who had initially got ahead of Rapp and started a challenge for third, had spun at the hairpin once again. "I've told him he needs to come and join me for some rallying lessons," said Barbara with a mischievous grin. With Rapp now four or five seconds in arrears Barbara looked to be on the cusp of her best chance yet of making a move for second.

The leading trio then came upon the battle for the Class 2 lead, and while Chambers and Rice got through relatively easily, Barbara was blocked repeatedly by Julian Wiley. "I tried to overtake him at Butchers, but he cut me up. I lost my line into the chicane, and then he tried to come back at me into Clark." The challenge cost her valuable time, but to make matters worse Paul Barrett then spun directly in front of Barbara as she entered the hairpin. She was forced to slow and run wide, allowing Rapp to close to within three seconds. She had lost any chance of resuming her duel with Rice and, to rub salt into the wound, Chambers had snatched back fastest lap.

Although some of Barbara's final laps were quicker than either Chambers or Rice, her late charge was not enough to recover the lost ground and she took the chequered flag a comfortable, if mildly disappointed third. "I'll win one day," said Barbara, "but the Michelin fog tyres were truly excellent!" Paul Robe was visibly proud of the way Barbara had handled the conditions. "The local girl did really well, didn't she?" he said. "We had the feeling she might make it this weekend, but she was excellent. She held her head really well and did some good work in very difficult conditions."

Barbara has a short break now until the next round at Thruxton. This takes place over the weekend of September 1st and 2nd.

Knockhill Photos HERE