Tom Witts closes on Phil House in the VW Racing Cup after victory in race one. A damp Donington Park circuit greeted the field on Saturday evening with Witts soon working his way to the front. A four-way battle for the lead on the last lap resulted in victory for the Maximum Motorsport driver.
The track had dried significantly since the downpour this morning yet the damp track was still a feature for the drivers as the lights went out. Toby Davis had started on pole, though it was the drivers at the back who made the best getaway.
Davis maintained his lead as House and Witts barreled down the inside into the first turn. They jumped into second and third respectively though Davis was already far up the road.
Simon Rudd had started second but was edged out in the first corner, spending the opening lap keeping up with third place Witts. The green flag running didn’t last long though as Benjamin Wallace and Mark Smith were caught up at the Esses, bringing out the safety car.
Slight damage to the barrier delayed the restart, leaving the crowd with 11 minutes of racing. The championship leader wasn’t in for an easy run though, as Witts undercut his rival to take second. Rudd attempted to demote House further yet just fell into the clutches of Michael Barrable behind.
Back at the front Davis was unable to pull away, as Witts slowly reeled him in. The Maximum Motorsport driver was the fastest on track and soon fought his way in front. There was drama behind though with a small issue for House dropping him to fifth.
A top four soon emerged as they went three wide across the line. From the chaos, Witts emerged victorious crossing the line to close the gap on his main championship rival.
He was closely followed over the stripe by Davis and Barrable who kept out of trouble. Meanwhile, Rudd, who had been in the four car battle, had clear front end damage crossing the line in fifth behind Paul Ivens.
In the end, House’s problems saw him fall to eighth as Kenan Dole and Paul Dehadray finished in front. The result will help him for the reverse grid affair, though will be disappointed to have lost ground on his rivals.
