MX-5 SUPERCUP MAKES FIRST OF TWO DONINGTON PARK VISITS THIS WEEKEND
This weekend at Donington Park on the Grand Prix circuit, the cars and drivers of both the Mazda MX-5 SuperCup and MX-5 Super Series join forces on the same grid together for what’s set to be three action-packed races, just as it was as a couple of months ago on the Welsh coast of Anglesey.
The battle for the MX-5 SuperCup title continues to see tensions rise between top contenders Luke Herbert and Jack Harding as both took wins at the previous rounds at Brands Hatch just a few weeks ago. With plenty of back and forth battling and a little bit of body contact in the process, it’s clear that neither Herbert or Harding are willing to give an inch in this title contest as Herbert chases his third straight crown in a row, while Harding quests for the title he’s missed out on the past two seasons. The championship was decided here in mixed conditions in 2018, so will we see more of the same this time?
Steve Roberts and Aidan Hills remain the main opposition to the top two with Roberts already sporting a couple of race wins to his name in 2019, while Hills has seen something of a small drop in form recently. After a less than satisfactory Sunday at Croft, Hills was able to keep up with the leaders and mix it for podium places, but didn’t really show the same level of speed everyone knows he’s capable of. Aidan rounded off last season with a win in a rain-shortened race here, so he’ll be hoping this place is kind to him once again.
Patrick Fletcher will hope for more solid progress as his first rear-wheel drive season continues, with Jack Sycamore and Masters leader Garry Townsend also expected to look quick. The grid also sees a couple of interesting additions this time as Super Series front runner Jo Marshall decides to contest the SuperCup for the first time after he performed well against the regular opposition back at Anglesey. Also, keep an eye out for TCR UK race winner Lewis Kent, as he makes his SuperCup debut this weekend alongside younger brother Bradley. This will be the first time that both Kent brothers will line up on the same grid in the same championship since their days in the Fiesta Championship, so let’s see who’s the more competitive sibling out of the two!
More usual suspects will be on the grid, such as David Henderson, Nick Rutter and Christopher Richardson, while a late addition to the grid will be new boy Paul Myers, who makes his MX-5 debut after prior experience racing in the OSS Championship aboard a Global GT Light.
Scott Woodwiss