National reports: Knockhill; Oulton Park; Brands Hatch; Kirkistown
GINETTA JUNIOR
Louis Foster says he has only a “mathematical chance” of winning the Ginetta Junior title. But, regardless of where the Elite Motorsport racer finishes in the final standings, he is certainly the form teenager in the series.
The rookie claimed another two victories at Knockhill – taking his run to four from the last five races – to keep the pressure on points leader Adam Smalley.
The first few corners proved the key to his opening win. Although his getaway was no better than poleman James Hedley’s, his approach to Duffus certainly was. Foster was able to brave it out around the outside of his team-mate and made the move stick.
From there he wasn’t to be stopped and headed Smalley and James Taylor home.
While Foster’s drive was impressive, he wasn’t star of the race. That honour fell instead to Luke Browning.
His race got off to a miserable start as he was tagged into a spin at Clark’s by Fin Green, who also spun and got stranded, bringing out the safety car.
The clash led Browning to pit at the end of lap one so his crew could check his car. But crucially he never went a lap down and, as soon as the race restarted, he quickly began to pick off other drivers. By the flag he was fourth and right on the rear bumper of Taylor.
“I couldn’t believe it!” said a delighted Browning, who entered the meeting second in the points. “I’m trying to get my title back [he was disqualified from a race win earlier in the year]. This is helping my championship and I want it to rain every round now!”
Sure enough it was wet again in a truncated race two. And Browning was again in the thick of the action. Starting fourth he was ahead of Hedley by Duffus and then produced a stunning move down the inside of the hairpin to pass Smalley. But he could do nothing about Foster up front, who was able to manage the race despite two safety cars caused by Green and series returnee Harry Dyson.
“The safety cars made it a bit more interesting,” said Foster, son of former BTCC racer Nick. “It was a perfect weekend. I still have a mathematical chance of winning the overall title and anything can happen.”
He now sits 32 points behind Smalley, with Browning a further 15 back, and the title fight is interestingly poised ahead of the final six races of the season.