Meanwhile Robert Kenrick in his 1600cc Force had to settle for second spot with a 54.72sec run, some 2.5sec away from his class record.

Third fastest time was set by John Chacksfield in his 1098cc OMS.

David Sturdy set a new class record in his supercharged VW Polo, knocking 0.06sec off the existing record.

Meanwhile Karl Jackson, who is leading the Harrogate Audi Championship, took 0.04sec off the class record he set at the last Harewood meeting in early August, extending his lead in the championship.

The top four in the up to two-litre road modified saloon car class were split by just one second, with Richard Vale following David Sturdy in the shared car by just 0.1sec, ahead of David Marshall and James Kerr, both in Peugeot 205 GTIs.

For once Karl Jackson did not have it all his own way in his Mitsubishi EVO, for while setting a new class record, he had Kenny Brookes breathing down his neck, just 0.14sec behind in his EVO.

Damon Grey stole the class win on the last run from Paul North by just 0.1sec, with Robert North 0.24 behind the leading pair.

Graham Smith nudged his Van Diemen sports car ahead of Les Procter’s OMS by 0.21, to take the class win.

The next Harewood action is a double event on September 20-21 when the Greenwood Cup and Mike Wilson Memorial events will be held.