Webster Secures Winter BARC Class Title

Fortec Motorsport racer Josh Webster took four podiums in four races at Pembrey on his way to securing the BARC class crown in the 2010 Michelin Formula Renault Winter Cup. The 16 year old added one win to the two he picked up at Snetterton, wrapping up the class honours by over twenty points. Felix Serralles took both Saturday's wins, with class runner up David Wagner taking the weekends other victory.

Webster dominated Saturday's qualifying session, taking both class pole positions. He converted it into an early lead in the opener, until an accident caused the race to be red flagged. At the restart, contact at the first corner saw Webster lose ground, with Serralles taking over the lead. The American driver held on to take the win, with Webster finishing up in second and Howard Fuller completing the podium in third.

The beginning of race two saw Webster and Serralles go head to head over the opening lap, with the latter getting the upper hand over his team mate. The class leader tried to find a way past, but Serralles defended well to take his second win of the day. Wagner followed in third, with Russian Roman Beregech passing Mackenzie Taylor on lap six to make it three Fortec drivers in the top four.

Webster once again dominated qualifying on Sunday, this time taking both poles in wet conditions. The track remained damp as round five began, with Webster leading away, closely followed by Serralles. The Puerto Rican kept the pressure on the leader throughout the race, but was unable to get past, giving Webster the win. SWB Motorsport's Taylor worked his way up from the back of the field after qualifying problems to finish the podium in third.

The weekend's final race saw drivers have to make a tough choice between wet and slick tyres on a drying track. Webster, on slicks, led early on; before wet tyres got the upper hand, allowing Wagner to take the lead and go on to take his maiden class win. The pair was closely followed by the quick starting Taylor and Serralles, before they were forced into retirement, gifting Fuller another podium finish.

The win in Round Five was enough for Suffolk driver Webster to take the title in his first year in car racing .Commenting on his weekend Webster said: “Saturday's races were a little disappointing but we certainly made up for it on Sunday and I'm delighted to come away with the BARC Class honours. It was a really enjoyable series and hopefully next year I can make the step-up into the main championship but we'll just have to see how things go with budgets.”

2010 Michelin Formula Renault Winter Cup – Final BARC Class drivers' standings: