KHERA AND FROST JUBILANT IN BRITCAR BATTLES
Despite grid numbers almost halving since March’s season opener, Britcar Trophy continues to deliver a hugely enjoyable spectacle of multi-class racing.
Throw a splash or two of rain into the mix and the 20,000 fans watching online were treated to two stirring encounters where the fast-paced BMWs, Ginettas and Mazda had to not only negotiate ever-worsening conditions on slick tyres but, at every turn, find their progress hampered by gaggles of slower but more surefooted Clios and Golfs.
Lee Frost and Lucky Khera secured race one pole by just 0.005 seconds from the Intersport BMW E46 of Kevin Clarke and Aldo Riti, but Clarke was better off the line and led from the start. It stayed like this until the stops when a prolonged changeover meant Riti emerged a good 10s behind Khera. From here it was plain sailing for the Khera/Frost car, despite some difficult moments in traffic.
Race two went much more to plan for the polesitters, despite having to overcome a pitstop success penalty (coming soon after a prolonged safety car period had wiped out their hard-earned lead). Behind, the racing was a close as ever, the Mac G Mazda RX-8 working its way into second while a trio of Ginettas finished within half a second to complete the top five.
At times the 2CVs were threewide through the complex, then four abreast into Copse. Nick Crispin and Lien Davies took a win apiece.
In Saturday’s Praga race, a succession of leaders fell out of contention. Eventually, it led to the University of Wolverhampton team scoring its maiden win with Shane Kelly and Stefano Leaney at the controls.
Though the weather worsened overnight, Sunday’s encounter was a far better reflection of what nimble pocket-rockets are truly capable of. Jimmy Broadbent and Gordie Mutch slipped down the order in the early laps but then set about a remarkable recovery to win by a healthy margin. Meanwhile, after the stops, Alex Fores found Ben Collins in his sights, both drivers delighting the crowd with a titanic tussle for fifth, won, in the end, by newcomer Fores.
There were moments to savour and moments of madness from the Junior Saloons. Gabriel Doyle-Parfait taking a win and a fifth, despite starting 11th and 10th respectively.