Brands Hatch GP - Rounds 5 & 6
Quali – After a strong day’s testing on the Friday, I went into qualifying feeling confident.
Even with the length of the GP circuit the track was extremely busy making it difficult to be able to get a clear run to put a good lap in. In the end however, on the very last lap, I put in a time landing me in second spot on the grid just 0.16 secs off pole, despite a bit of traffic in the last couple of corners. So starting alongside last years champion once again.
Race 1 – I managed a decent start off the line resulting in the first few laps of this race being pretty close with me still sitting in second place. I spent most of the race trying to find way passed Lewis Clark in the #1 car, only passing him when he had an issue with his car.
This handed me the lead and first win of the day.
Race 2 – Because of the reverse grid that operates in Focus Cup, I was starting at the back of the grid for race 2 despite winning race one. I managed an epic start, making up a few places before the first corner. Before a full lap was completed, a safety car came out. At the re-start I managed to grab the lead of the race passing Avis #77 who put-up a good fight for the whole of the rest of the race, ultimately I managed to hold on for the race win.
However, I did end up with a 5 second penalty for running a curb under a double yellow flag section which landed us third in the final results.
Ultimately I had a great weekend with another win and I really enjoyed my battles with Lewis (Clark #1) and Richard (Avis #77).
Still third in the Championship but I believe I am getting to grips with the Focus ST handles and how to get the best out of the set-up, the more I drive it the more I enjoying the car, can’t wait for the next round at Snetterton on 7th June.
Check out the videos to see just how close the racing in Focus really is…and where I got my penatly in race 2!!!!