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It proved to be a dramatic finale at Silverstone for Kent’s Motorbase Performance team as one of their drivers crashed out and another won.
Motorbase’s title contender Rory Butcher was sent into the barriers after making contact with race rival Matt Neal before rolling his car. He managed to avoid the traffic and get out of his car unaided.
The race had to be re-started but anguish for the team turned to joy as experienced racer Ollie Jackson clinched the win in the Ford Focus, fending off the impressive Ash Sutton, who had started 26th on the grid after a puncture in race two.
Jackson beat championship leader Sutton to the line by just 0.312 seconds, although the challenger was later dropped to third after gaining an unfair advantage when running wide at Copse Corner while overtaking second placed driver Tom Oliphant.
A delighted Jackson said: “It’s been really emotional. Terrible for Rory obviously but thankfully it sounds like he is okay but amazing day, after not a brilliant qualifying, we made it back up, a good start and to take the win is amazing, living the dream!”
Butcher was checked out in the medical centre and later tweeted that he was okay, writing: “Thank you for all the messages wishing me well. I’ve been checked out at medical and I’m ok. We’ll be back stronger at Croft.”
Butcher had been keen to respond after a frustrating second race where he had been pushed off on the first lap, dropping him to last after a spin. He eventually finished 14th after charging back through the field. Jackson took eighth place to claim some valuable points.
It wasn’t all bad for Butcher though as he claimed a third place in the opening race. He ends the weekend sitting fifth in the drivers’ standings.