Podium finish for Joe
ROOKIE racing driver Joe Cruttenden enjoyed a successful final meeting of the MG Trophy Championship at Snetterton.
The MG Trophy Championship newcomer returned his “best race of the season” as the curtain came down on the hotly contested single make championship at Snetterton Race Circuit.
After a tough penultimate round at Oulton Park where the Rochdale driver was forced to come away from with a zero points score, Cruttenden was able to reverse his fortunes to take a class podium in the second race of the day. This result ensured he would end his inaugural season behind the wheel of a racing car an impressive fourth in Class C and ninth overall in the championship.
A good start in the opening race of the weekend saw the JDC Racing driver knocking on the door of third spot but a stranded car forced Cruttenden to take evasive action and the subsequent trip onto the grass meant he ended the tour in sixth. Using the remaining laps wisely, he put in a mature drive to work his way back to fourth over the closing laps.
The second and final race saw Cruttenden put all his new found skills to good use. A decent start and run through turn one and two saw him battle intensely with third for the opening six laps.
With the more powerful MG ZR 170’s deep within the pack, Cruttenden held his position firm and took third spot.
“There is no better way to finish the season than a podium, but that really felt like the best race of my career,” said Cruttenden. “It’s crazy to think 12 months ago I was sitting on the other side of the car and co-driving from some top-flight rally drivers and now I`m driving my own race car and doing pretty well at it too. It’s been a great season.”