APPLE CAR CENTRE WIN ON THE BRANDS HATCH GP CIRCUIT!

Trackday Trophy returned for the series second round of the 2024 season on Sunday May 19. With a large grid of 43 competitors ready to take on the phenomenal Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, excitement levels were high.

Spectacular sunshine greeted drivers for the early afternoon qualifying session. Team Air Supply’s Wright/Allat pairing flew out of the blocks, setting the early pace with a lap time of 1:43:491. Incredibly, just a few minutes later, the team managed to push their Porsche 944 that little bit harder to post an even faster lap! The benchmark had well and truly been set. Each of the other 42 competitors continued to push, setting personal bests and narrowing the gap to the pacesetter, however ultimately no one could better the time and Team Air Supply could enjoy their first pole position of the 2024 Trackday Trophy season. Apple Car Centre’s Jordan Honeybone came closest to the Porsche, qualifying his Renault Clio on the front row. Two BMW’s followed on the grid, with the E36 of Zakrzewski/Wherton (Dubshack Motorsport) and the 328i of Michael Rawlings (Paddock Performance Racing) in third and fourth respectively. The battle for Class C pole position went right down to the wire, with PRO-AM Racing’s Harvey/Richardson pairing claiming the accolade on their final lap. Aindale Racing’s Wayne Cockerill was the driver bested, but would still line up an impressive second in class. Q-Ball Motorsport’s Quantrell/Jarman rounded out the top three qualifiers in Class C. The battle for Class D pole position was another to go right down to the wire, with an incredible lap from Hammond Motor Group’s Jay Coombs sealing the front of the Class D grid – and tenth overall! BC Cars Motorsport’s Colin Wells and Boreham Motorsport (Midlands)’s Adams/Adams pairing rounded out the top three in Class D.

At race start, polesitters Wright/Allat came under immediate pressure from those behind. The Team Air Supply pair managed to keep their Porsche at the front of the grid for the entirety of the opening lap, but less than one second split the top three as they crossed the start/finish line for the first time. Heading out on the Grand Prix loop for the second lap, the #41 Dubshack Motorsport car managed to get past the leader to head the bustling field. Honeybone, Rawlings, Wright/Allgar and Palk all jostled for position behind, while keeping the leading BMW in sight. The drivers of PRO-AM Racing and Hammond Motor Group would have a hard time keeping in front of very competitive Class C and D, but navigated the opening exchanges well. Throughout the, grid gripping battles were taking place, with each driver staking their claim on the class podium positions.

Out front, in Class B, Dubshack Motorsport continued to set the pace, with Paddock Performance Racing’s Rawlings getting the jump on Team Air Supply for second. Unique Racing’s Palk had managed to pass Apple Car Centre’s Honeybone for fourth, while Mangoes Racing’s Darren Goes was enjoying a tremendous start to the race in sixth – having qualified in P18. The pit window for all drivers then opened, offering opportunity for teams to utilise a savvy pit strategy.

A combination of both brilliant pace and a pit stop later than most leapfrogged Apple Car Centre’s Jordan Honeybone to the race lead approaching the final few laps. Dubshack Motorsport’s  Zakrzewski/Wherton, now in second place, immediately set about catching the Clio in front. However, Honeybone was unphased and expertly managed the gap to the car behind to secure a fantastic victory on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit for the Apple Car Centre team! Zakrzewski/Wherton should be proud of their efforts, looking continually strong enroute second place on the Class B podium. Paddock Performance Racing’s Michael Rawlings had clear pace, claiming fastest lap on his way to third in Class B. Team Rebbieha’s Paul Mchugh and Mangoes Racing’s Darren Goes rounded out the top five.

Having started on Class C pole position, PRO-AM Racing’s duo of Harvey/Richardson continued to look quick throughout the race, putting in a confident drive worthy of the Class C top step and capping a brilliant day of racing for the #12 drivers. Aindale Racing’s Wayne Cockerill never gave up and finished just shy of the class winners, coming home second in class to cap an impressive day of racing. The final spot of the Class C podium belonged to LDR Performance Tuning’s Ben Jenkins. The young driver managed to beat Q-Ball Motorsport’s Quantrell/Jarman to the trophy by just 0.335secs in a thrilling finish.

Also enjoying a brilliant day was Hammond Motor Group’s Jay Coombs. In his first Trackday Trophy race of the season, Coombs skillfully saw off all competition to lead all but two laps in Class D to take to the top step of the podium. Class D usually proves hugely competitive and this race was no different, so Jay and his whole team should be proud of the performance. To highlight the afore-mentioned competitiveness, less than 3.5secs separated second to fourth over the finish line. Boreham Motorsport (Midlands) father and son duo, Martyn and Rob Adams edged Hills Motorsport’s Ethan Lundy and BC Cars Motorsport’s Colin Wells in third and fourth respectively – making it a 1/2/3/4 for Mazda MX-5s!

With such a large field and a circuit that can prove as difficult as it does thrilling, each and every podium finisher should be immensely pleased of their efforts.

We already can’t wait for Trackday Trophy to return at Lydden Hill next month.