Rowledge champion ahead of final thrillers
After producing 15 seasons of entertainment, there was still time for two more thrilling Ginetta Junior races as the category marked its final appearance on the British Touring Car support bill at Brands Hatch. But there was to be no late drama in the title battle as Josh Rowledge sealed the championship in the opener.
The R Racing driver made sure of the crown with second place in a first race that proved to be a letdown. The first attempt was red-flagged when Kanato Le and Finn Harrison tangled at Druids and there was then a lengthy safety car period on the restart with Shravan Shanmugavel off at the same corner.
That left a single-lap sprint to the flag, which ended with Fox Motorsport’s Liam Mcneilly holding off Rowledge. “I’m speechless – it’s a different feeling to anything else!” said the new champion.
While Rowledge then opted to sit out the rest of the weekend, there was a reminder of what BTCC spectators will be missing next year with two cracking contests to round out the season.
Mcneilly continued his impressive end to the campaign in race two, last year’s runner-up having finally returned to the winners’ circle in the first race after a tricky campaign, cantering clear as the rest battled behind. On lap nine of 11, Will Macintyre’s pressure on Elite Motorsport team-mate Aqil Alibhai finally told as he dived up the inside of Druids.
The final two and a half laps then featured a frantic fight for third that eventually involved 10 cars running line astern. The pack was just headed by Luke Watts at the flag, despite having virtually no visibility after his bonnet came loose, to take his maiden outright podium on a weekend when his parents were away at a wedding.
The final Ginetta Junior BTCC act was one of the best races of the season as Macintyre and Mcneilly tussled for the lead. Macintyre made a brilliant move up the inside of Druids on the first tour to grab the advantage but Mcneilly was relentless in his pursuit. The pair were inseparable throughout, Mcneilly coming close to sneaking ahead at Westfield on the final lap before being blocked and there was slight contact on the run to the line but Macintyre held on.
“I was thinking on the green-flag lap, nobody has overtaken Liam this weekend,” said Macintyre. “A gap opened up and I went for it!”
It was similarly close for third, with Le just getting the nod from Alibhai this time as it proved to be a memorable BTCC farewell to the popular category.