MX-5 CHAMPIONSHIP HOTFOOTS OVER TO DONINGTON PARK TO CONTINUE 2020 SEASON
The BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship swoops into to Donington Park in Leicestershire for their second meeting of the amended 2020, with a late change of venue away from what would have originally been the next rounds at Anglesey in North Wales. The circuit is always a favourite with drivers and has also been the scene of many title deciders and memorable moments across the last few years.
The opening rounds at Cadwell a couple of weeks ago provided exceptional action with the early pacesetters in the bid for the championship being Joe Wiggin and Oliver Allwood. Wiggin won both of his races, while Allwood led home a 1-2-3 finish for his team in the third of three races running that weekend, with the entry split across three groups with each driver getting two each. This weekend at Donington, all Mk1 MX-5s will be on the same grid together with three races across both days. Wiggin continues the superb form he showed in his rookie season in the series last year while Allwood managed to get back on the top step for the first time in a couple of years. Both will surely be aiming to get there again.
Double champion Will Blackwell-Chambers had to be second best in 2019 but is fired up for grab a third crown in four years this time. Sitting third in the points after two podiums, his pace still seems strong and keeping with the leading pack means he can keep consistent results flowing to allow him to pick up the pieces if anyone around him falters. His team boss Mike Comber was also a rostrum visitor at Cadwell, while Wiggin’s teammate Jack Brewer continues to get stronger and must be wishing for a first MX-5 win to come soon. Brian Trott, a former race winner, is 6th overall and top Masters driver in the contest for those aged 45 and over, with young Steve Foden also staying within the realm of a possible victory having shown great form several times before.
The rest of the top ten is filled by Sebastian Fisher and Oliver Graham, two teammates that have made remarkable progress in terms of pace and were both constantly hovering around the top 5 and top 10 places a couple of weeks ago. Rounding off the top ten if former Rookie of the Year, Matt Pollard, but on the cusp is Jack Moody and exciting new drivers Ben O’Hare and Luke Pullen. Another driver who will be looking to shoot up the table will be Matt Luff, who currently sits outside the top 20 due to an incident in his first Cadwell Park race leaving him finishing towards the back of the field, but his 3rd place in his second race was a silver lining. Expect him to also be in contention for pole position and a race win, having tasted victory at last year’s season finale at Silverstone.
Scott Woodwiss
