In a red flag interrupted race, Nick Zapolski made an excellent start, only to retire on the Grand Prix circuit, handing the victory to Ollie Chadwick. The win helps him extend his Ginetta GT5 Challenge title lead going into the final race of the weekend.
Chadwick started on Pole, but a poor start from yesterday’s race winner saw Zapolski take the lead into the first corner. Chadwick was determined to get the position back, and tried to switch back at Paddock Hill Bend before the red flag was called for.
As Saturday proved, any incidents further up the field can resonate down the order, with six cars retiring from the event. While there appeared to be no official cause of the incident, Mark Davenport was one of the first involved and retired halfway up the hill as a number of cars found themselves in the gravel.
As not one lap had been completed, Ollie Chadwick was given another pole, but it proved little help as Zapolski had another outstanding getaway, taking the lead. It didn’t last long though as Zapolski and Jack Minshaw went missing while in the forest.
This left Chadwick with a five second lead over Ryan Hadfield, while the battle for third intensified. Matt Flowers had benefitted to take third, but quickly found himself leading a 4 car queue.
Further back, Keogh spun into the gravel at Paddock Hill bend, losing a crucial fifth place and the Am lead, and promoted Matt Chapman up the order. With free air, he quickly set fastest lap as he caught fourth place Matt Palmer within a few minutes.
With a minute to go, the battle for third intensified as Flowers, Palmer and Chapman swapped positions, as Palmer ran side-by-side with the #20 over the line, losing out by 0.079 seconds.
