MX-5 SUPERCUP HEADS TO THE COAST FOR ANGLESEY ACTION
We’re only two meetings in to the 2019 BRSCC Mazda MX-5 SuperCup season and already we’re seeing another three way dance for the title between three very familiar names to followers of the championship. Luke Herbert, Aidan Hills and Jack Harding currently hold all the cards at this stage having taken all the victories for themselves, and this weekend’s upcoming rounds at Anglesey in North Wales could either produce more of the same or something very different. This weekend will be a special one as the SuperCup drivers will share the grid for the first of two occasions with their brethren in the Super Series, as the Mazda paddock continues to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the MX-5.
So far, Snetterton and Oulton Park have seen Herbert, Hills and Harding clinch a win each on both weekends, but it’s the results that didn’t produce a win that tells the story of the 14 point spread between them. Herbert leads the way by virtue of never finishing off the podium in all six races and while Harding has also achieved the same feat too, Herbert leads due to scoring one more 2nd place finish thus far. As for Hills, he may not have finished any lower than 5th place at this stage, but missing out on the podium twice puts him a further 6 points back in 3rd. These three drivers have been amongst the pacesetters in the championship over the last 12 months or so and that doesn’t look likely to change any time soon. Whether or not Anglesey will see one of them look to break out and take a hold on proceedings is a question we’re sure to see answered this weekend.
Looking behind the top three, Will Stacey comes next in 4th place having secured a podium finish at Snetterton and a pair of 4th place finishes at Oulton Park last time out. The former Lotus Cup hotshot has had a solid start to the year so far and Anglesey will be another venue which he will hope will treat him well. Then, Masters points leader Garry Townsend comes next in 5th position after continuing to punch in consistent top 10 finishes and keeping his cool whilst other drivers appeared to lose theirs across the first two weekend. Sure and steady scoring is a key tactic in remaining near the sharp end of the points table and Garry appears to have this down to a tee so far.
David Henderson is another name who hasn’t necessarily been a notable front runner but has made sure he saw the chequered flag each time and therefore sits in 6th place in points, ahead of Bradley Kent, Nick Rutter, Christopher Richardson and former Clio 182 racer Patrick Fletcher respectively. Further back, Steve Roberts is a surprising 12th place which may be surprising on the surface having clinched a 3rd place and three 4th places, but two retirements have cost him a bunch of points and leave him with a lot of work to do to regain lost ground.
Former champion James Blake-Baldwin is back after missing Oulton Park and will be hoping to regain his regular form after somewhat missing it at Snetterton. If he’s able to get back to the front, expect him to worry Herbert, Harding and Hills all weekend long. Jack Sycamore also elects to line up once again while Paul Sheard makes another sporadic appearance at the wheel of one of his own cars. Nicholas Dunn, a former MX-5 race winner in his career, also completes the lineup.
Scott Woodwiss
