CLIFF DEMPSEY RACING

9th November 2007
Dempsey Double at Walter Hayes Trophy

Peter Dempsey achieved a perfect result in the monumentally competitive BRDC Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone - winning his heat, his semi final, and then on pole and winning the biggest Formula Ford race of the year, the WHT grand final.

Nothing else in national motor racing compares to the challenge of the WHT. This year nearly 150 FFord racers came to Silverstone for the event, among them the majority of the winners in this season’s regional championships, a host of stars from theUK National series along with legend names from FF1600’s great history, such as Michael Vergers.

Having made his name in FF1600 before moving on to the UK Formula Ford Duratec series, Dempsey has long desired to emulate Joey Foster by winning the WHT 3 times, especially after winning the event last year.

But it looked like the 2006 Dunlop/Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of the Year’s participation in the 2007 WHT might not be possible as sponsorship had been extremely hard to come by, but thanks to Irish Ferries, Snap on Tools and help from his Father, Peter was able to compete. It was always going to be a difficult week for Peter as sadly Bert Ray had passed away after a long illness but Dempsey got his head down and drove out of his skin to record his second win at the Walter Hayes Trophy in two years. When interview on the podium Peter with tears in his eyes dedicated his win to Bert Ray who gave him so much help over the last two years.

Dempsey dominated his Heat by taking pole by .5 of a second and winning the race by 7 seconds with fastest lap by .7 of a second

“I got a great start, I just hope I can do it again,” said Dempsey after winning by seven seconds.

He started on pole for his semi-final, alongside new hotshot Wayne Boyd and last years WHT runner up Neville Smyth but it was Smyth who put it up to Peter and the lead changed several times during the race but Peter had the lead with two laps to go and won by .4 of a second and recorded a quick enough time for pole for the Final.

“Now I’ve done exactly the same as I did last year – I’ve won my heat and my semi,” he mused. “Hopefully this year I’ll be able to go on and win the final especially for Bert Ray.”

Dusk was falling over Silverstone by the time the final started. Dempsey shared the front row with Gavin Wills rated as one of the best FF 1600 drivers in the UK, Peter made a great start and lead the first lap but at the end of lap two had dropped to 4th place, then the red flags came out. At the restart Dempsey was in 4th place on the grid he made a good getaway and at the end of the first lap made a brilliant move passing not one but 3 cars for the lead into the complex everyone was on their feet in the stand as Dempsey pulled off this move, he then got his head down and pulled away to win by 4.8 seconds.

“ I am really delighted” said a tearful Peter “this one was for Bert (Ray), it has been a difficult weekend as emotions have been running high but I am delighted to dedicate this one to Bert .”

Peter’s superb result of two consecutive WHT victories means he now has his sights set on Foster’s record of three and hopes to go back and give it a go next year.

“I’ve got to win it four times so I can beat Joey’s three wins,” Peter joked.

For more information contact Cliff Dempsey Racing via
00353-86-8148811 or email info@cliffdempseyracing.com.

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