Middleton is still in with Super chance
Podium finish keeps Stu in gear for Trofeo title glory
LAMBORGHINI Super Trofeo Europe Championship contender Stuart Middleton kept his hopes of claiming the coveted title in his maiden season alive at the Nurburgring after securing his sixth podium of 2019 with teammate Jack Bartholomew.
Following a top-four finish in round nine, the Bonaldi Motorsport drivers converted their second front-row start of the weekend into the runner-up position in round 10 to depart Germany third in the standings.
With just two races now remaining in the season, at the end of October in Jerez, Spain, Ashington-based driver Middleton and Bartholomew are 16 points shy of second in the title battle and 21 points adrift of the top of the championship.
Before then, though, British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star Middleton will be travelling to Italian track Vallelunga for the invitation-only Young Driver Program ‘Shoot Out’ being held by Lamborghini Squadra Corse.
Thirteen drivers from the four Super Trofeo categories will battle it out for official Lamborghini manufacturer support in 2020.
Middleton (pictured left) said: “It was good to have taken points from the weekend and great to have another podium - but we really wanted two wins to be honest for the championship.
“Mathematically it is not over at all and anything can happen in the final two races, so we will be pushing as hard as ever.
“The car set-up just was not quite there in Germany.
“We have a lot of work to do to try and close the gap to the Imperiale cars as they seem to be on another level at the moment.
“Not all hope is lost, though, and we will make the best of what we have when we are at Jerez.
“We have a big break in the calendar, so the focus is the Young Driver Shoot-Out at Vallelunga.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to receive support from Lamborghini for next season so I will be giving it my all and hoping to impress.”