As the sun set on another action-packed season of car racing, the Thruxton Summer Festival delivered a spectacular two-day event that had fans on the edge of their seats, writes Tim Crisp.
This year's meeting was the inaugural edition of the Summer Festival and marked the grand finale of the Car race season. The event, held at the iconic Thruxton Circuit, showcased 19 thrilling races that left motorsport enthusiasts wanting more.
In the Motul Caterham 310R races local driver Tom Wyllys had a first, second and fourth position in his three races. There was a win for Salisbury-based driver Nigel Mustil in the Volvo SG60 in the CMMC Super Saloons race.
Tadley-based Wilf Bulter worked hard for a best-place result of eighth in the Junior Saloon Car Championship.
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Jamie Sturges had two outings in the Track Attack events in his BMW E 28 with a sixth place finish being his best result, and Stockbridge racer Lydia Gould was competing in the Mission Motorsport Caterham 270R Championship where there were two 17th place finishes and a DNF from the three races.
With the summer break over it was a return to the track for the Kwikfit British Touring Car Championship at Croft circuit in North Yorkshire for rounds 16, 17, and 18 of this year’s championship.
As Ricky Collard in his Toyota Gazoo Racing UK Corolla GR was celebrating his 27th birthday he didn't get the present he would have wanted – the three races on Sunday netted Ricky 14 more championship points from 11th, eighth, and 15th place finishes.
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With its 2.1 miles of fast-flowing sections and then tight sharp slow sections, it is a difficult track to get into a flow on and once you get into a pack of cars it makes overtaking very difficult.
Ricky, in his last race starting from the pit lane due to an engine leak on the grid, craved his way up to get into the points which was a great effort.
The next round sees the teams heading to Scotland's Knockhill Circuit on August 12, 13.
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