Victory for Toby Sowery allowed him to prove his domination in BRDC British F3 reverse grid races. After taking the lead on the second lap he never looked back, breaking away from the field behind. In the championship, Ricky Collard has not made it any easier for him to win the title with a tenth place finish at Donington Park.
The second race was still marked by the incident in the opening race on Saturday. After his crash with Enzo Bortoleto, the Carlin driver of Collard started at the back of the grid. This was vital for the championship, with only 20 points now separating him and new leader Leist.
A five place grid penalty for Enaam Ahmed saw him start eighth, promoting Leist to seventh. Leist could have won the title if he finished fifth or higher and depending on Collard’s result.
It was Eugene Denyssen on pole for the reverse grid affair as he made another clean start. All eyes were on Collard though as he gained three places on the opening lap. Leist meanwhile was up to fifth after Ben Hingeley stalled on the line.
Collard wasn’t in for an easy race though as he hit Bortoleto again, this time flipping him upside down. While it wasn’t the first time Bortoleto has been upside down this season it will be frustrating for the Brazilian.
As the race was restarted, it was another Double R Racing car in the wall as Aleksanteri Huovinen spun from third. Back at the front, Sowery did what he’s achieved on three previous occasions, taking the reverse grid lead and driving into the distance.
Matheus Leist has all but done enough to win the title in race three (Credit: Joe Hudson)
Leist was up to fourth but was far from secure as Scott harried him from behind, allowing Thomas Maxwell to break away in third. The Sean Walkinshaw Racing cars lined up second and third, but it was the battles further back that enticed the crowd.
Meanwhile Collard was stuck in tenth battling with Omar Ismail and former rival Thomas Randle for ninth. This proved to be Collard’s best and he finished the race tenth. He didn’t lose the championship, but it will be difficult to win later today.
Sowery comfortably crossed the line in first. He was joined on the podium by the SWR cars of Denyssen and Maxwell. Leist had attempted a move on the final lap, but failed to make the most of the position, losing a place to Harrison Scott.
In a lonely sixth was Ahmed with Tarun Reddy and Collard further back in eighth. Collard could only manage tenth as Ismail held him off in the final few laps.
