Error doesn’t prove costly for Browning as he bags maiden win after thrilling contest

Luke Browning had done all the hard work. He had passed leaders Ruben Del Sarte and Adam Smalley to take first place in the second of the Ginetta Junior races, but then he looked to have thrown it all away as he ran wide at Graham Hill Bend.

The error dropped the Richardson Racing driver back to fourth on lap six of 17, but he quickly set about making amends. He soon deposed of Louis Foster and then in the closing stages pounced on the leaders on consecutive tours at Druids to reclaim his place at the front of the field and take a brilliant maiden win.

“I had my heart in my mouth,” he admitted after making the mistake, while Smalley reckoned Browning had the faster car as rain intensified later in the contest.

There were three cars at the front of a terrific first race too. Smalley, his Elite Motorsport team-mate Fin Green, and Del Sarte had a frenetic battle which Smalley emerged victorious from, after light contact between the other two out of Paddock Hill Bend.

Further back, Foster took a brace of excellent fourth places – the first particularly impressive after keeping a stream of cars behind for the duration.