As far as British Touring Car Championship races go that was a classic! Aron Taylor-Smith weathered the storm at Brands Hatch and came from 13th position to win race two of the day.
Another rain shower coated the track just before the start of the race, making conditions difficult.
Sutton starts well
A good getaway off the line meant minimal pressure for Sutton on the opening lap. Collard got away well too but wasn’t close enough to Sutton to launch an attack. A driver that was under pressure was Tom Ingram, he was under attack from Dan Cammish around the outside of Paddock Hill Bend but managed to keep his position.
Lewis Selby found the barriers on the outside of Druids after carrying too much speed into the corner. This bought out an early safety car.
Collard pressuring Sutton on the restart again!
Ricky Collard was glued to the back of Ash Sutton’s NAPA Racing Ford and very keen to pass him on the safety car restart. He took the lead on lap eight, one lap after the restart. It was a dramatic scene as Sutton made an error and was swamped by Ingram and Collard. Sutton was in the middle of the pair but it was Collard who had the inside into Surtees.
But by lap nine, the rain was starting to fall harder around the circuit making it even harder for the drivers.
One driver that fell foul to the conditions was Chris Smiley who spun on the exit of Druids, he was able to rejoin after getting off the wet grass.
Charles Rainford was putting on a show in the tricky conditions as he overtook Tom Ingram for third place around the outside of Clearways. He wouldn’t keep the place though as he made an error at Paddock Hill which allowed Ingram back through. The home hero would get into more strife just a few laps later as he damaged his front bumper after contact with Dan Cammish. He would continue on with his wounded car.
Is it time for wet tyres?
On lap 14, Dan Rowbottom ha set the fastest lap of the race after he pitted early on for wet tyres. He was really pushing on in his Plato Racing Mercedes albeit two laps down.
The slick tyres were looking even less favourable after Ash Sutton made an error with Clearways proving to be a tricky corner. He fell away from leader Ricky Collard and came under pressure from Ingram and Aron Taylor-Smith. The latter took advantage of the championship leaders mistake, passing Ingram and Sutton in quick sucsession and moving up to second place.
The Toyota Corolla’s looked to be the car of choice with Taylor-Smith charging up to second and Josh Cook also up to fourth place! The Laser Tools Corolla of Taylor-Smith was being driven brilliantly and had caught up to leader Ricky Collard. He passed Collard’s Hyundai on lap 17 to take the lead of the race from 13th on the grid.
A dramatic end seals Taylor-Smith’s victory
The race would end prematurely after red flags were put out for an incident involving Charles Rainford and Sam Osbourne at Druids. Both incidents happened seperately to eachother, Rainford had contact in a battle with Ingram, Doble and Moffat which sent him off into the gravel trap. Sam Osbourne was helped into the same gravel trap by Dan Rowbottom. He attempted a move down the inside of the NAPA Ford which sent Osbourne off. He came to rest right next to Rainford’s car.
The red flag secures a first victory in 10 years for Aron Taylor-Smith who mastered the wet conditions. Ash Sutton managed to keep his NAPA Racing Ford on track for a second place finish. He was followed home by Ricky Collard once again.
Hear from the race winner
Aron Taylor-Smith, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport Driver:” I can’t believe it! I’m so proud of what we have achieved and it’s a credit to what MB Motorsport and Laser Tools have given me. I was hanging on for dear life out there! ”
ATS pulled the number eight ball for the reverse grid draw which puts Restart Racing’s James Dorlin on pole position alongside Josh Cook on the front row.
The top 15 finishers
*results are provisional*
1. Aron Taylor-Smith (Independant Winner) 2. Ash Sutton 3. Ricky Collard 4. Tom Ingram 5. Aiden Moffat 6. Mikey Doble 7. Josh Cook 8. James Dorlin (Jack Sears Trophy Winner) 9. Dexter Patterson 10. Daryl DeLeon 11. Nicholas Hamilton 12. Chris Smiely 13. Dan Rowbottom 14. Dan Cammish 15. Adam Morgan
