KHERA DRAWS FIRST BLOOD WITH FERRARI CHALLENGE DOUBLE

Challenging weather conditions ensured the return of the Ferrari Challenge UK series got off to a dramatic start at Brands Hatch as experienced racer Lucky Khera secured a double victory.

Entries may have been limited to nine cars, but a three-car battle for thelead and increasing rain all contributed to a memorable opening race on Saturday.

Paul Hogarth initially got the jump on pole position holder Khera to lead the pack into Paddock Hill Bend on the opening lap. As the race developed, Hogarth had to defend hard to keep both

Khera and the rapidly closing Graham de Zille at bay.

The trio continued to run close together until Hogarth was caught out by worsening track conditions and spun off into the Paddock gravel trap on lap 25. The resultant caution period enabled Khera to inherit the spoils from de Zille.

Unlike in the first race, the second encounter was held on the Grand Prix circuit. Khera took a lights-to-flag win, despite a mid-race rain shower slowing his progress. Hogarth survived a clash with a backmarker at Paddock to claim second ahead of de Zille.

Rain also hampered the first Ferrari Formula Classic contest, but it could not stop Tim Mogridge from claiming a dominant win in his F355. James Cartwright also impressed with a fine drive to second from ninth on the grid in his

328 GTB, while Wayne Marrs recovered from a poor start and a spin at Graham Hill Bend to take third.

Marrs beat Mogridge to victory in race two after making a successful move at Paddock Hill Bend, before the latter got his revenge in the finale.