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BTCC Race Two

The line-up for Race Two is the finishing order from Race One. Success ballast is also added to to the top five finishers, so Andy's power was reduced to 65%, Alex to 70%, Oliver 75%, Dean 80% and Mike 85%. Four drivers had chosen the option tyres - Daniel, Stephen, Simon and Andy would start on the Soft compound.

   

The D Final-ists were raring to go after lunch. Ollie was fully focused and had all but lapped the field by half distance. Rob was the only car on the same lap, the all-important final step-up being fought over by the others like a shoal of piranhas. Daniel managed to hold off Isaac and Stephen to progress with Ollie and Rob.

   

Ollie started the C Final in good form, working himself past Terry, Jeremy and Simon in short order. Only Jeremy managed to stay in touch. By half distance, Terry was in third and he seemed comfortable going into the final stages, before a very late off let Rob slip through and grab the step-up.

   

Rob and Ollie were on a fine run - could we see another trip from D to A?

   

Dean was in pole for the B Final, but was beaten to the first corner by Mike's BMW. Mike proceeded to build a lead, chased by Ash and with Dean, Rob and Jeremy all fighting for third. Ollie had a couple of early offs and was last. Rob faded in the second half of the race, eventually overtaken by Ollie. Mike was controlling the race from the front, leaving  Dean, Ash and Jeremy to decide the two remaining step-up spots. At the chequered flag, Dean came in second and Ash third.

   

The A Final began with the front row pair - Andy and Alex - circulating side-by-side and essentially blocking the more powerful cars behind. It was a strategy that seemed to work as first Mike and then Dean and Ash made errors and dropped back. The pressure from behind having been shaken off, the truce at the front ended - Andy pulled a small gap and eventually Alex made an error out-braking himself at the end of the long straight. Andy took full advantage, pushing on without any mistakes. Despite a late scare when his Soft tyres were wearing out, Andy stayed in front and made it two-out-of-two for the Civic...

   

Alongside Alex second and Oliver third, we had the same podium as before lunch...

   

Here are all the results for Race Two - click the image to make it bigger...

   

Colin was visiting from Lancing to see what our racing is all about. He was invited to draw the pole-sitter for Race Three. Dean's number (five) came out of the hat - meaning he'd start first, followed by a reverse grid of Mike, Oliver, Alex and Andy. The rest of the would follow in finishing order.

Before the final BTCC race, it was time to change the vibe and race some Carrera Classic Nascars...