The iRacing V8 Supercars series headed to the historic Brands Hatch for race 7 of the series. Just past the half way point of the series and the competitors definitely turned it on for the fans.
Qualifying was once again a close affair. Mitchell McLeods took pole by less than a thousandth of a second ahead of nfinity eSports teammate Rens Broekman who also qualified with a 1:26.122. Trans Tasman Racing’s Madison Down was a close 3rd with a 1:26.202. Troy Cox qualified 10th and Wayne Tolley 11th respectively just half a second behind the pole sitter.
Madison Down got a great start, but had no where to go with it heading into turn 2. The field was tightly packed with almost all of the drivers two wide until turn 4. Down and Broekman fighting to the death coming off turn 4 made contact putting Down out onto the grass. As he rejoined they were 3 wide with a hard charging Richard Hamstead taking an opportunistic move through the middle and up into 2nd!
Further back in the field Troy Cox made a great start and avoided contact in the opening lap much to his delight after a carnage packed lap 1 in the earlier race.
On lap 3 Down made the move on Hamstead into turn 2. Hamstead left space and the move was executed cleanly. Down now with the eyes on set chase after the Tatts.com Falcon of Mitchell McLeod.
Meanwhile, Troy Cox was having a fantastic battle with Paul Larkin that would eventually last the entire race due to the difficult nature of Brands Hatch. Passing is not an easy feat at the historic circuit.
With 5 laps to go Down had caught McLeod and was really starting to apply the blow torch. The sniff of victory was definitely there. On the penultimate lap, Down got a fantastic run off turn 1 down the hill into turn 2, the #1 TT-R Falcon dived for the move, the two made contact! However Mitch had kept the Tatts.com Falcon in the lead of the motor race despite the attack. It was going to be a gripping final lap. Down clearly hoping to do the same again next lap at turn 2 was not close enough, it was going to be a tough ask from here to win the race. But the two were no more than a metre apart for the rest of the lap as Down stuck to the back of McLeod’s car through the GP layout of the circuit. McLeod made a mistake into the penultimate corner giving Down a run into the final corner, but it was not to be.
Mitchell McLeod took the win which was absolutely critical in the championship standings. Madison Down still leads the series, but after the drop weeks come into effect Mitchell McLeod will certainly launch up the order.
Troy Cox finished a strong 8th after a race long battle with Paul Larkin. The gap at the line was miniscule.
Team admin Madison Down was elated with the teams performance at Brands Hatch “The team had some awesome pace this week, to have the results we did it was great. A 2nd and an 8th in top split is always great. Unfortunately for Wayne, he ran into some troubles in 2nd split but his pace was blindingly fast putting the car in 11th for the week in qualifying. Wayne is definitely punching above his weight at the moment, it would be great for him to be in top split where he belongs.”
The race can be watched at www.v8sonline.com.au
Round 8 is at Okayama but due to the round being on boxing day attendance may not be as high as usual.
Related posts:
- Down wins at Phillip Island in a Thriller!
- Down Clean Sweeps Suzuka
- Down continues championship charge
- Down Strikes Back
- Down out to catch McLeod
