JCW Sport Title Decided In Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Finale
Dylan Hotchin became the first driver to secure the JCW Sport title as the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE season drew to a close at Brands Hatch.
With Dan Zelos having wrapped up the overall JCW title at Knockhill back in August, the battle for the Sport crown was the main focus of attention as the field took to the track around the full Brands Hatch Grand Prix layout, with JamSport driver Hotchin taking a healthy lead into the weekend ahead of NAPA Racing’s Cameron Richardson.
Hotchin strengthened his lead at the top of the standings when he scored pole position in qualifying to pick up six additional bonus points, and then moved further clear of his rival with victory in a truncated opening race that included an early safety car period and an early stoppage due to a red flag.
It meant Hotchin only needed to finish race two to secure the title, but there was drama on the opening lap when he went off into the gravel at Hawthorns and was forced to retire – giving Richardson a second chance in the title race.
He duly beat Bitcoin Racing driver Chris MacKenzie to top spot in the race and keep the title battle alive, although he still needed to finish inside the top two with Hotchin failing to score to overturn his rival.
Further drama seemed to be on the cards as the field came round to the grid for the start when Hotchin peeled off into the pits, with the race getting underway with the team attending to an issue with his car misting up.
Whilst Richardson went on to race his way to second place behind Albert Webster in the race, Hotchin was able to head out onto the track and trundled round at the back to ensure he picked up the finish he needed to confirm his championship success and earn him a place in the record books as the first JCW Sport champion.
In the main JCW class Max Hall scored victory in the opening race of the weekend en-route to second in the standings and the Rookie Cup title, with Nathan Edwards then picking up the wins in races two and three to end the year third overall.
Three races remain in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, which will also take place at Brands Hatch on the opening weekend in November.