Author: Chris Ashby

C1 Challenge stars with 24-hour spectacle at Rockingham

The Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge signed off from Rockingham Motor Speedway in fine style this past weekend (August 31 – September 2) as it headlined a blockbuster three days with an enthralling 24-hour race.

Following on from its history-making inaugural 24-hour event at the Corby venue in May, the one-make series returned to produce another spectacle that will live long in the memory.

Boasting a bumper entry list of more than 30 cars and 100 drivers, the battle for supremacy in the day-long C1 Challenge race proved to jam-packed with drama, with several teams making their way to the lead of the race, be in under sunshine or darkness.

Come the end of the race, Citron D’Equipe emerged as the winners to take the chequered flag and stand on the top step of the podium. Clocking a total of 571 laps around the 2.44 mile layout, the team of Mike Combar, Simon Fleet and Nick Dougill got their heads down and hit the front in the closing stages to pip Team Rockingham by 1:26.328.

Team Rockingham’s driver line-up of Peter Hardman, Michael Galjaardt, Will Thomas, James Guess and Stuart Wright ended the race in second place whilst the Team Green Racing quartet of Paul Rowland, Charles Corner, Carl Hawkins and Alec Graham capped off the podium.

A staggering 19,008 laps were completed over the course of the 24 hours too, with just the top two finishing on the lead lap.

Earlier in the weekend the Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge also staged a shorter three-hour endurance race, with no less than 37 cars taking the start. After 180 minutes, Dijon Racing clinched victory ahead of Old Hat Motorsport and Scuderia Pollo Rosso.

Elsewhere, the BARC South East Tin Tops Championship was in action at Rockingham with Daniel Fisher producing a dominant display to clinch a pair of race wins.

There was also edge-of-the-seat thrills from the BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship where Alex Sidwell bagged two wins of his own.

For the full classification of results from all sessions, click here.

Thruxton revs up for 2019 with launch of new Motorsport summer showcase

Summers are about to get louder, faster and even more exciting at Thruxton Circuit with the launch of a fantastic new event on 1-2 June 2019 celebrating all things motorsport and automotive.

In a year of fabulous festivities to mark the venue’s Golden Jubilee, which was crowned by June’s 50th Anniversary Celebration centrepiece, the event’s success and the immensely positive feedback from visitors has been the driving force behind making the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration an annual highlight of its schedule.

Over two days visitors will be treated to a wealth of on-track racing action with glorious machinery from across the decades courtesy of Historic Promotions.

Visitors will also be able to admire exquisite exhibitions from a number of attending car clubs and absorb the sights, sounds and smells of high-octane motorsport around the UK’s fastest motor racing circuit.

With a host of activities taking place both on and off track, including kids’ activities, Supercar Displays, Skid-Pan demonstrations and much more, the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration will be the perfect summer day out for the whole family.

Bill Coombs, Thruxton Group Managing Director, commented: “It’s been a year to remember for Thruxton Circuit with a host of immensely popular events to mark our Golden Jubilee prompting overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors. It is by reminiscing about our illustrious history that we became inspired for the future with the launch of the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration.

“A high-octane weekend of exhilarating sights and sounds and thrilling racing action, whether you’re a petrolhead or not, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. We’re certain the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration will become a huge regional summer highlight for years to come.”

Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of Historic Promotions, added: “The 2018 Thruxton 50th Anniversary Celebration weekend was a huge success and we were delighted to be taking part with our historic grids from Motor Racing Legends.

“Historic Promotions is now very much looking forward to working with Thruxton to launch and develop its exciting new Thruxton Motorsport Celebration, which is certain to be a highlight of the summer schedule with even better racing, more clubs, and a variety of other attractions for all the family.

“We’re aiming to bring all our experience and enthusiasm to this exciting new event at one of the most important and historic circuits in the country.”

In addition to the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration, the venue is already gearing up for a packed programme of motorsport action in 2019.

Highlights include two rounds of the immensely popular British Touring Car Championship, the first taking place on 18-19 May before the series returns on 17-18 August 2019 for more world famous wheel-to-wheel action.

The adrenaline-pumping British Superbike Championship will also take up its traditional summer spot with three days of full throttle two-wheel racing taking place on 2-4 August 2019.

2019 Thruxton Meeting Dates

18th – 19th May: British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)

1st – 2nd June: Thruxton Motorsport Celebration

29th – 30th June: British Truck Racing Association Championship

2nd – 4th August: British Superbike Championship (BSB)

17th – 18th August: British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)

21st – 22nd September: – Classic Sportscar Club (CSCC)

All-out Anglesey action as BARC championships shine in North Wales

The British Automobile Racing Club’s latest visit to Anglesey Circuit had it all this past weekend (September 1/2) as championship battles intensified and some drivers put themselves out of sight of their title rivals.

Descending on the picturesque Welsh venue for the second time this season, the Club’s North West Centre delivered a blockbuster two days of track action.

In the Michelin Clio Cup Series, Ben Palmer made it back-to-back title wins as he produced another mesmerising performance to secure an unassailable lead in the point’s standings. Maintaining his unbeaten run by adding another three victories to his 2018 tally, Palmer dominated proceedings to provisionally retain his crown.

Nic Harrison mirrored Palmer’s performance at Anglesey with a hat-trick of his own in the Race Class to also continue his impressive run of victories to successfully defend his title too.

Joel Wren was perfection personified in the Junior Saloon Car Championship as he bagged a pair of race wins. Storming to pole position in qualifying, the teenage sensation proved to be in a league of his own as he vaulted himself further into title contention.

Paul Rose continued the run of dominant performances across each series as he bagged a sensational hat-trick in the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship. Entering the weekend as the form driver, Rose underlined his front-running credentials with a scintillating display from the wheel of his Saker RAPX S1-400.

Spoils were shared in the BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns as Clive Wood and Michelle Hayward topped the podium.

Wood struck first over the course of the weekend as he beat Hayward to honours in race one before the roles were reversed for the second encounter. With one win apiece, the third and final race of the weekend proved to be an exciting one, with Wood ultimately coming out on top.

Capping off the weekend’s action from the BARC was a selection of races from the APL Health Caterham Graduates Championship. Amalgamating classes together, high-octane thrills were the order of the day from the Caterham contingent as they wowed those in attendance.

Samuel Wilson and Jamie Ellwood each scored a win in the Sigmax duels whilst Ben Winrow was at the double for the combined Classic, Sigma and Mega races.

To view the full classification of results from each session, click here.

Poignant and special weekend lined up at Anglesey for Race of Remembrance

One of the highlights of the UK motorsport calendar, Race of Remembrance, will take place for the fifth time this weekend (November 9/10/11) in North Wales at the picturesque Anglesey Circuit – and the event is set to be bigger and better than ever.

Run by the Forces’ charity Mission Motorsport, the thee-day meeting has proven to be a smash-hit in recent years with the focus on commemorating the sacrifices made by all service personnel and their families.

This year’s event will be even more poignant too as its falls on the 100th anniversary since the end of the First World War.

Battling it out around the challenging Anglesey Circuit, a total of 50 teams will compete in the 12-hour race with all manner of machinery set to go wheel-to-wheel.

What makes Race of Remembrance unique is that the race itself will be paused at points, meaning that although it will be a 12-hour endurance race the time it takes to start and finish it will be much longer.

The most notable pause will come at 10:45 on Sunday morning when the racing will stop and the circuit will fall silent for a special service of remembrance, which will take place in the pit lane.

Boasting a glittering entry list of high-profile racing drivers and ex-serviceman, a special ‘Heroes Dinner’ and much more, the 2018 edition of Race of Remembrance is set to scale new heights.

James Cameron, CEO of Mission Motorsport, said: “Race of Remembrance is always a special event and one that is eagerly anticipated by a growing number of people from across the charity, racing industry and further afield.

“This year will be especially poignant, falling as it does on the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, and we will be commemorating the sacrifices made by service men and women in a very special way”.
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C1 Challenge heads to Rockingham for second 24-hour race of the year

The Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge makes a triumphant return to Rockingham this weekend (August 31 – September 2) for one of the marquee events of the year as part of the British Automobile Racing Club’s latest visit to the Corby venue.

Making history in May by not only making its inaugural visit to Rockingham, but also by becoming the first series to stage a 24-hour race there, the one-make tin top category is back for another pulsating weekend of track action.

In what is set to be a fond farewell to Rockingham by the C1 contingent, due to the venue ceasing motorsport activity at the end of the 2018 season, a three-hour and 24-hour race is set to get pulses racing.

Providing drivers and teams with the opportunity to go endurance racing at a low cost, the C1 Challenge has proven to be a smash-hit since debuting in 2017, with more than 100 cars having been built in that time.

Events at Rockingham, Pembrey and Snetterton have underlined the popularity of the series already this year with bumper grids at each event. As was the case at the 2018 curtain-raiser at Rockingham, the level of interest to compete in the 24-hour race has prompted an additional three-hour encounter to be added to the race programme.

Such is the popularity of the series, this weekend’s three-hour race boasts 35-car grid whilst the longer 24-hour race currently has 38 cars set to take the start.

In the inaugural 24-hour race earlier in the year, Team C’est La Vie emerged as the winners – two laps ahead of their nearest challengers. Whether they can produce a repeat performance however remains to be seen as they go up against a bumper entry list which includes BTCC race winner Rob Austin and former touring car star Daniel Welch, amongst a host of others.

In addition to the Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge, two of the BARC South East Centre categories will also be in action. The BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship and BARC
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Paul Rivett crowned Renault UK Clio Cup champion following successful MSA appeal

Paul Rivett is now a four-time Renault UK Clio Cup champion after winning an appeal to over-turn a stewards’ decision to disqualify him from round 16 of the season at Silverstone in September.

More than a month on from Westbourne Motorsport’s James Dorlin provisionally winning the championship at Brands Hatch, the Motor Sport Association’s (MSA) National Court took place on November 6 where the matter was decided.

Having been originally disqualified from the final result of round 16 by the Clio Cup Clerk of the Course following an on-track incident with title rival Max Coates, Rivett appealed the disqualification at the circuit however the decision was upheld by the stewards.

Rivett and WDE Motorsport then chose to lodge a further appeal at the MSA’s National Court and after further evidence was heard, the Court ruled in Rivett’s favour.

Reinstated into third position in that Silverstone race, Rivett was handed back 20 championship points which was enough to take him to the top of the standings ahead of Dorlin and allow him to add to his 2002, 2004 & 2011 crowns.

“A fourth title is very special but I’d also say extra special because this is the one I’ve had to work the hardest for,” Rivett said. “This title shows just how much the WDE team has grown and improved since I first joined them in 2014.

“Looking back I’d say the pivotal moment in the season was Donington Park in April – we suffered a very heavy crash in race one and the crew only had three hours to get my car repaired for race two.

“The fact they managed it and it was still good enough to take fourth place was massive for us – it earned us 18 points without which we would not have won this title.

“To everyone in this team – the mechanics, technicians, team boss Wayne Eason, all my sponsors and my family – I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’.”

Click here for the amended and final Renault UK Clio Cup championship standings.

BARC championships gearing up for action-packed Anglesey weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club makes the long journey to North Wales this weekend (September 1/2) as Anglesey gets ready to play host to a handful of championships, all of which are heading towards enthralling title climaxes.

Organised and run by the Club’s North Western Centre, the weekend’s action will mark 20 years of the BARC running race meetings at the challenging picturesque venue.

Topping the billing will be the North Western Centre’s very own CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, which will compete on the International layout. Home to all manner of cars, the multi-class series has enjoyed another stellar season in 2018 with sizeable grids at every stop on the calendar thus far.

Paul Rose will arrive at Anglesey sitting at the summit of the standings, holding a slender eight—point lead over Oliver Thomas. At the wheel of his Sakar, former champion Rose has been the epitome of consistency, constantly running towards the sharp end of the grid.

Thomas however has equally been one to watch from behind the wheel of his Subaru Impreza and will be keen to close the gap to his title rival. Other drivers to look out for in the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship include Clive Dix, James Cryer and Dave Harvey – to name but a few.

Ben Palmer will look continue his unstoppable march towards back-to-back Michelin Clio Cup Series titles at Anglesey, with three races set to be run. Off the back of being crowned champion last year Palmer has been in a league of his own this year, taking ten wins from ten races.

With a 50-point advantage over nearest challenger Ronan Pearson, Palmer will be hard to bet against adding another trio of victories to his impressive tally. In the Road Class, Nic Harrison will also be looking to continue his unbeaten run by adding t his silverware collection.

Like the Michelin Clio Cup Series, the Junior Saloon Car Championship has a habit of serving up door-to-door thrills and the latest crop of 14 to 17-year-old’s have delivered that in spades.

Entering the weekend, Lewis Saunders holds the lead in the points however the chasing pack of Joel Wren, Scott McIntyre, Steven Chandler and Jemma Moore are all set to ensure the teenager doesn’t have things his own way. Two races at the Welsh track will likely shake up the championship order even further.

The BARC Clubmans Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns returns to the track with leading contenders Clive Wood, Michelle Hayward and Pippa Tanner-Wood leading the long list of drivers that could potentially emerge victorious from the weekend’s three encounters.

Capping off the BARC action will be a raft of races from the APL Health Caterham Graduates Championship. Split into different classes based on engine capacity, the one-make series has enjoyed a blockbuster 2018 with grids continuing to grow and grow as each event passes.

Robin Webb, Robert Winrow, Declan Dolan, Mark Johnson and Jonathan Curry currently lead the way in their respective classes and should be at the forefront of the action.

Also adding the on-track entertainment over the course of the weekend will be the British Superkarts Championship.

Croft Circuit reveals blockbuster 2019 events calendar

Croft Circuit is preparing itself for a blockbuster season of racing in 2019 after unveiling a bumper calendar made up of 17 events.

Following on from an action-packed 2018 season which saw capacity crowds flock through the gates, the North Yorkshire venue is already gearing up for the new year with the likes of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship set to take centre stage.

The Darlington & District Motor Club’s Jack Frost Rally will kick off the new motorsport season on February 17 before attention switches to two wheels and the North East Motorcycle Racing Club in late March.

A variety of British Automobile Racing Club championships will descend on Croft in mid-April before Easter Monday play’s host to a special Spring Sprint event – the perfect tonic to cap off the Bank Holiday weekend.

The British Racing & Sports Car Club and the Darlington & District Motor Club will headline proceedings in May before the 750 Motor Club makes its one and only visit to the venue at the start of June.

Croft’s flagship event of the year will come on June 15/16 as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship makes its annual visit for three titanic races. Playing host to rounds 10, 11 & 12 of the season

Early July will see the British Racing & Sports Car Club return before the Ferrari Challenge UK makes its eagerly-anticipated first visit to the track.

As summer continues to unfold, the action show no signs of relenting at Croft as the Historic & Sports Car Club will take fans on a spirited trip down memory lane on August 3/4.

The Darlington & District Motor Club’s third and final visit to Croft will take place on August 17/18 before the edge-of-the-seat, sideways thrills from the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship will be showcased on September 8.

There is a return by the British Automobile Racing Club too in September before No Limits Bike Racing and the season finale of the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship brings the curtain down on what should be a memorable year for Croft.

2019 Croft Circuit Calendar

February 17 – Jack Frost Rally

March 23/24 – North East Motorcycle Racing Club

April 13/14 – British Automobile Racing Club

April 22 – Easter Monday Spring Sprint Meeting

May 4/5 – British Racing & Sports Car Club

May 18/19 – Darlington & District Motor Club

June 1/2 – 750 Motor Club

June 15/16 – Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship

July 6/7 – British Racing & Sports Car Club

July 20/21 – Ferrari Challenge UK

August 3/4 – Historic & Sports Car Club

August 17/18 – Darlington & District Motor Club

September 8 – Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship

September 21/22 – British Automobile Racing Club

October 12/13 – No Limits Bike Racing

October 27 – Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship

Tickets for all events are set to go on sale in the coming weeks, with more information set to be found at croftcircuit.co.uk/racing.

You can also keep up-to-date with the latest ticket alerts by following Croft Circuit on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Mark Higgins returns to British Rallycross summit following Lydden Hill victory

Mark Higgins returned to the summit of the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship standings on Bank Holiday Monday (August 27) after scoring victory at Lydden Hill.

Entering the seventh event of the season tied for second in the standings with Ollie O’Donovan, just a single point behind series leader Julian Godfrey, Higgins claimed his second win of the season after inheriting top spot following a time penalty for on the road victor O’Donovan.

As opposed to the last time the championship competed at Lydden Hill earlier in the year, dry conditions greeted teams and drivers with Albatec Racing’s Higgins setting the early pace as the led the way following the first block of qualifying races.

Five-time champion Godfrey came to the fore in the second block of races, piloting his Mitsubishi Mirage to a rapid time before Higgins underlined his speed by being fastest in the final round of qualifying encounters.

In the final, Higgins made his customary lightening start to lead into the first corner. Heading into the hairpin O’Donovan made his move, lunging down the inside of the Peugeot 208 driver and making contact with the side of Higgins’ machine.

Despite producing a spirited fightback, the triple British Rally champion charged back into second place but was unable to stop O’Donovan out front. After the chequered flag fell, O’Donovan was issued a two second time penalty for his part in the opening lap incident with Higgins, handing the latter victory.

Rounding out the podium behind Higgins and O’Donovan was the returning Oliver Bennett, who was back in the series making a one-off appearance.

Tristan Ovenden extended his advantage in the MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship as he delivered a dominant display at his home circuit.

The MSA Junior Rallycross Championship had a Constantine feel to it as the trio of namesakes locked out the podium. Tom Constantine produced another storming performance to take victory ahead of Luke and James.

Morgan Bailey and David Bell were the winners in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship and BMW Mini Rallycross Championship respectively whilst British RX Supercar racer Steve Harris made his maiden competitive appearance in a restored Ford RS200 to win the Retro Rallycross Championship final.

Finally, the RX150 Championship served up an exciting days racing with Chrissy Palmer underlining his class with victory in the final. Palmer didn’t have things his own way however with guest driver Tom Onslow-Cole being constant thorn in his side throughout the day, ultimately finishing second.

The Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship heads back to Pembrey on September for the penultimate event of the 2018 season, with the title battle set to further intensify as it approaches an enthralling climax.

Series Elite garners rave reviews and plenty of interest on public debut

Series Elite and the striking Jaguar XE SV Project 8 made its public debut at Silverstone last week with a host of potential racers left impressed.

As preparations continue for the inaugural season in 2019, a total of 18 different drivers got behind the wheel to test the SVO built car at MotosportDays.LIVE.

With expert coaching and tuition being provided by Ray Grimes and Andy Schulz, those that took to the track got to grips with the monstrous machine around the International layout of the Northamptonshire venue – with the cars running faultlessly across both days.

Series Elite CEO, Graeme Glew, said: “We had a mixture of drivers, some with past race experience, some already racing in other series and quite a few complete novices so a good mix, so far we have nine confirmed orders so we are looking strong for a twenty-car grid in 2019.

“With several options in addition to outright purchase, drivers can get behind the wheel using an attractive finance package and even a rental option. Series Elite is becoming a very viable and exciting route for our potential customers.”

Series Elite’s Ian Fletcher added: “MotorsportDays.LIVE provided us with the perfect platform with which to launch the Series Elite Jaguar Project 8’s to the public for the first time.

“The feedback we received from guests was phenomenal and the car performed faultlessly. We have no doubt Series Elite is going to be a fantastic success.”

Further tests for potential drivers are available at Donington Park on Monday 19th November and at Silverstone on Saturday 1st December.

For more information on Series Elite and the Jaguar XE SV Project 8, head to serieselite.com, or contact Ian Fletcher on 07814 723204 or Graeme Glew on 07894 980911.

TOCA support championships make a splash in Scotland

The annual trip north of the border to Knockhill for four TOCA support championships proved to be a blockbuster one as treacherous conditions spiced up the on-track thrills even further this past weekend (August 25/26).

As the season heads towards an enthralling climax, every point that is on offer is becoming ever-more pivotal and that proved to be plain to see as the undulating Fife circuit marked the latest stop on the calendar.

Last in action at Snetterton, the Porsche Carrera Cup GB contingent were back with Dan Harper emerging as the driver many were talking about come the end of the weekend. Storming to pole position on Saturday, the Scholarship winner then splashed his way to a second win of the season in race one.

Harper wasn’t to have things his own way as he had to fight his way back into the lead after making a small mistake earlier in the race. The Northern Irishman capitalised on an error at the hairpin made by Lewis Plato to retake a lead he would ultimately not lose again.

Race two would see George Gamble score victory, producing a controlled lights-to-flag performance however Harper was once again making a name for himself after producing a mesmerising drive to finish second. In the standings, a quiet weekend for points leader Dino Zamparelli has seen his series lead cut to just four points with Tio Ellinas hot on his heels.

Louis Foster was in unstoppable form in the Ginetta Junior Championship as he stormed to a brace of race wins. Picking up where he left off at Rockingham, the rookie held off title rivals Luke Browning and Adam Smalley to bring himself further into play in the title battle, closing to within 44 points of the standings summit.

Shane Stoney replicated Foster’s feat in the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge as he bagged two wins in contrasting conditions. Basking in the Scottish sunshine, Stoney made his way from sixth on the grid into the lead to pip Max Bird by little under half a second.

Heavy rain welcomed the GT5 Challenge drivers on Sunday but that didn’t stop Stoney from once again starring. Holding a host of lurid slides around the 1.27 mile circuit, Stoney held his nerve to fend off the advances of James Kellett in a nail-biting finish to take a clean sweep at Knockhill.

Rounding out the TOCA support championship action was a trio of races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. Johnathan Hoggard proved to be the driver to beat as he bagged a brace of pole positions and then a brace of race wins.

Title protagonist Ayrton Simmons maintained his championship charge as he triumphed in race two.

For the full classification results from all sessions and championships, click here.

The penultimate event of the season for the Ginetta Junior Championship, Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Renault UK Clio Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup GB and F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost will take place at Silverstone on September 15/16.

Brits take centre stage as Jack Young triumphs in Clio Cup International Final

Renault UK Clio Cup drivers underlined their class at Paul Ricard this past weekend (November 3/4) as Jack Young led a British 1-2 in the Clio Cup International Final to win a brand new Renault Megane R.S.

Bringing together the top Clio Cup competitors from around the world, the coveted race saw drivers from Central European, Chinese, Spanish, French, British and Italian Clio Cups battle it out to bring the curtain down on a successful 2018 campaign in France.

Having showcased their supremacy in the Central European block of races, with Max Coates triumphing in race one before Young scored a win of his own in the second encounter, the British duo turned the wick on their competition in qualifying for the grand final.

Fighting for track position against 37 other Clio Cup cars in the 30-minute session, Young and Coates hit the top of the timesheets midway through qualifying and were then never bettered, with Young edging UK championship runner-up Coates by a mere 0.210.

Brett Lidsey, the third UK Clio Cup competitor competing at the event, hustled his MRM Racing machine to fifth place – further underlining the superiority of the British contingent.

Getting a clean start as the lights went out, Young converted his pole position into a lead that he would ultimately never lose, producing a superlative lights-to-flag performance.

With Coates and Benoßt Castagné hot on the heels of the 17-year-old Northern Irishman, the top three soon broke away from the chasing pack, as battles took place throughout the bumper field.

Lidsey would run as high as fourth at one stage but would soon tumble down the order before being involved in an incident with David Pouget, which put the Frenchman on his roof and ended Lidsey’s race on the spot.

Back at the front, last year’s Clio Cup Junior champion held his nerve to take the chequered flag and land the biggest prize of his relatively short career so far. Coates finished second whilst CastagnĂ© rounded out the rostrum in third place.

Commenting on his victory, Young said: “This is amazing! Honestly, I still don’t quite believe it looking at how strong the field was. Max pushed me all race long, like he did earlier in the weekend.

“Little by little, he closed the gap, but I managed to pull away after the safety car. From there, I just had to control until the chequered flag.

“This is great and unreal, but I hope I’ll be able to defend this title next year!”