CONVOY IN THE PARK
(^14) Truck & DriverCitP Preview
station throughout the
ten-lap race to clinch a
first podium of the
season. Smith’s charge
continued on Sunday as he
showcased his overtaking
prowess with a scintillating drive
from the back row for race two.
Starting in sixth position,
Smith picked his way through
the field and on to yet another
win ahead of Jenkins and this
time Ray Coleman.
Lights-to-flag dominance was
the story of the third encounter
as Smith again exerted his
supremacy around the home of
the British Automobile Racing
Club. Along with Jenkins, Smith
broke away from the chasing
pack and cantered to the
chequered flag while Collett
picked up further silverware in
third place.
With all eyes on the multiple
champion to see if he could
complete an unprecedented
clean sweep at Thruxton, Smith
brought the weekend to a close
in Division 1 with a fourth win,
cementing his place firmly at the
summit of the drivers’ standings.
Mark Taylor and John Newell
joined Smith on the rostrum to
ensure that every Division 1
competitor ended the event with
at least one podium finish.
Division 2
Luke Garrett powered his way to
an impressive hat-trick of wins in
Division 2 of the MV Commercial
BTRA Championship while
Steve Powell also served up a
stellar drive triumph.
Following a lengthy in-
season break, the titans of the
truck racing scene descended
on the fastest circuit in the UK
aiming to put on a show as a
bumper crowd basked in the
searing sun.
Having powered his way to
pole position at both Brands
Hatch and Pembrey, reigning
champion Garrett saw his fine
qualifying form halted as Paul
Rivett claimed a career-first pole
position in the series.
Setting a blistering time of
1:38.399, the former Renault UK
Clio Cup champion proved to be
in a league of his own to charge
to the summit of the time-sheets.
Having missed out on pole
position, Garrett redeemed
himself in the opening encounter
as he cantered to his fifth win of
the season. Getting the jump on
Rivett as the lights went out, the
MAN driver opened up his
advantage as each lap passed
to score race victory.
While Rivett held station in
second place, the WDE
Motorsport driver came under
late pressure from both Simon
Cole and Steve Powell; however,
the experienced racer was able
to hold station to eventually take
the chequered flag and with it
more silverware.
Race two saw Powell come to
the fore as he scored his third
win of the year. Slotting into
second place off the start, Powell
hounded the Daf of Brad Smith
before making a move for the
lead in the latter stages. Unable
to further resist the challenge of
the MAN driver, Smith not only
lost out to Powell but also
Garrett, who demoted him to
third by the end of the race.
Garrett was back on the top
step of the podium for race three
Minor spot of engine fettling... we hope! Division 1 is witnessing a titanic power struggle