Lydden Hill Race Report

The third round of the 2024 Trackday Trophy season occurred on Saturday June 15, with the series racing at Kent’s Lydden Hill Race Circuit for the first-ever time.

Qualifying in Class B would belong to one team. Motion Motorsport’s pairing of Justin Roberts and Nicole Drought were immediately on the pace, setting the timing sheet purple. After improving their fastest lap time on a number of occasions, the benchmark for competitors to beat would be a strong 50.298secs. Ultimately, no team was able to better the time and Roberts/Drought would become the first ever Trackday Trophy polesitters at Lydden Hill. Fellow Civic, Semprini Racing, would line up second courtesy of drivers Evans/Hart, with the fastest Class C qualifier Nathan Mcphail lining up third. Aindale Racing’s Wayne Cockerill and LDR Performance Tuning’s Ben Jenkins rounded out the top three in Class C qualifying, second and third respectively. BC Cars Motorsport’s Alister Esam posted a tremendous lap to qualify first in Class D, with Greenstar Racing’s Burnham/Burnham edging GenieSpeed’s Middleton/Ellesley to second in class.

The stage was set for Trackday Trophy’s debut Lydden Hill race.

The Motion Motorsport Civic enjoyed a lightening opening two laps at the hands of Roberts/Drought and immediately started to build a gap to the cars behind. Semprini Racing’s Evans/Hart had maintained their second place, keeping the leader in sight through the opening exchanges. Mcphail had just about managed to fend off Cockerill’s charge to retain the Class C lead, while Alister Esam maintained the lead of a competitive Class D class through the opening few laps. As the drivers continued to find their feet around a circuit new to the series, the lap times dropped and the pressure on the cars in front built. Evans/Hart continued to push leaders Roberts/Drought, reducing the gap below the two second mark. Similar circumstances were happening in Class C, with Cockerill keeping close to Mcphail in front. Despite the strong competition in Class D, Esam remained at the forefront and extended his gap to the drivers behind as the race headed into the second half.

Strong pace after the pit stop propelled Class C leader Mcphail into second place overall, with Cockerill following past Evans/Hart to again keep the pressure on the #90 Civic of Mcphail. Still Roberts/Drought led, consistently lapping quicker than their rivals in what was becoming a phenomenal display from the Motion Motorsport pairing. When the checkered flag fell, Roberts/Drought had led every single one of the 48 laps to take a richly-deserved victory and first place trophy. Semprini Racing finished second in Class B, overcoming late tyre drama to secure the trophy. Nathan Mcphail continued to see off the threat of Wayne Cockerill to record an impressive Class C victory, by just 2.277secs over the finish line. LDR Performance Tuning’s Ben Jenkins converted P3 in class qualifying to complete the Class C podium, adding another trophy to the Clio drivers collection. Burton Power Racing’s Valentine/Burton duo enjoyed a strong display to secure their first podium finish of the year in Class D, finishing third ahead of Gilbert/Baldacci (77 Racing) and Fletcher/Langsdon (EHKO Racing).

A huge congratulations to all of our podium finishers!

Trackday Trophy now heads on summer break, before heading East in August to Snetterton.

Entries for all the remaining races in 2024 can be made here.