RugRacers Finale – Report
British indoor touring car winter series Rug Racers concluded at the weekend with the fifth & final round where Schumacher’s Elliot Harper completed a series clean sweep. With the Modified title already wrapped up by Harper prior to the finale most eyes were on the Stock & FWD classes where the winner was not yet decided let alone the podium places. Alongside each class was also the last roll of the dice to crown the class Junior & for the first time Masters Champions. In Modified, Harper got off to a great start with fastest time in Q1 ahead of decorated & multiple British Nitro Champion Alex Thurston, Andy Murray just behind in 3rd Q2, would be the same order but all improving their times. Q3 went the way of Thurston, from Murray & Matthieu Dambrine before Harper took the fourth round & overall TQ ahead of Alex and Murray.
In the finals A1 was a close battle all the way through Thurston with the faster car but Harper leaving no opportunity for an overtake, as the clock ticked by Thurston threw everything at the leader before having to settle for 2nd near the end after getting up on 2 wheels having to save the car gave Harper the breathing room needed. The A2 battle resumed again with Harper improving his pace meant Thurston was pushing really hard to stay close and try to find a chance to pass, time ran away though and a small error close to home meant Harper would win from Thurston & Dambrine.
Modified Result
1. Elliott Haper
2. Alex Thurston
3. Matthieu Dambrine
4. Andy Murray
5. Bailey Graves
6. Richard King
7. Adam Downing
8. Ashley Wiffen
In the fight for the Stock title, Billy Fletcher, Finley Whitelock & Ricky Copsey were all in contention for the win, so the all important TQ would play it’s part. Round 1 of Qualy went to Finley, along with 2 & 3 bringing it all down to the last round, as the run unfolded the times were super close with Billy managing to take the fastest time by 4ths to lock out the all important TQ spot. Onto the finals, Finley needing the win to take it to Leg 2 was looking good value as the final set off, Finley never more than a car length away and on the attack from the start tone, some incredible driving kept the crowd on edge as Finley hunted for a way past, great respect shown by both drivers, as the race clock was running down, Finley needing to get buy was pilling the pressure onto Billy who stood resolute keeping his car where it had to be. A small mistake at the end allowing Billy a little breathing room for the last few laps would see him cross the line & crowned the RugRacers Stock 24/25 champion.
Stock Result
1. Billy Fletcher
2. Ricky Copsey
3. Adam Southgate
4. Mason Weston
5. Sam Law
6. Finley Whitelock
7. Martyn Ross
8. James Snashall
9. Stewart Wilcox
10.Jay Kay
In FWD, Ben Moorey, Sam Jones, Ethan Southall & Liam Tyrrell were all in contention for the Championship win, Adam Southgate could still finish 2nd so all to play for as everything got underway. In Qualy Ben looked to mean business the reigning British Frontie National champion & ETS A finalist was setting a serious pace but importantly was bringing his rivals along for the ride Adam Southgate multiple ETS A finalist wasn’t letting it go easily either along with Ethan before a late error dropped him down giving Ben the opening run from Ethan & Stuart. Q2 and Ben Adam broke away with drama further down seeing the Liam, Ethan & Sam drop way down the order, Q3, Again went to Ben but John Seals suddenly jumped up into P2 demoting everyone else and making Q4 critical, Sam Jones championship contender needing a good run to make the A final, all onto Q4. Ben would come out in front with a 26 Lap run to be joined by Adam 2nd also on 26 & Ethan Southall with a 26 lap run to lockout the top 3, All eyes looking down the table as Title contender Liam lined up 8th and Sam Jones an agonising BQ in 11th place 4/100ths keeping him out, he could still win though if other factors go his way but wouldn’t be able to influence the fight himself.
Onto Leg 1, With all 4 A finalists needing the win to take it to the Leg 2 decider anyway it was all to play for the group heading off in regulation order, after a few mins of close racing Ben started to edge away and with the clock running down the chances of catching him were gone as he won Leg 1 to take it to Leg 2. The racing got going and the battles got underway immediately carrying on for the whole 5 mins, Adam desperate to get past along with Ethan, a slight mistake from Ben allowed Adam through and the 3 raced hard for the win, late drama saw Ethan sneak through as Adam dropped back and under intense pressure brough home the win ahead of Stuart Collard up from 5 and Adam Southgate, Ben down in 4th but crucially enough to secure the RugRacers 24/24 Front Wheel Drive championship.
FWD Result
1. Ethan Southall
2. Ben Moorey
3. Adam Southgate
4. Stuart Collard
5. Jon Seals
6. Thomas Looney
7. Dan Knight
8. Gary Taylor
9. Liam Tyrrell
10.Malc Hall
Source: RugRacers [Facebook]
