It wasn’t just the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship that had fans on the edge of their seats at Thruxton Circuit this past weekend (May 28/29) as the TOCA support championships also shared the headlines.
Marking the first of two visits to the fastest circuit in the UK this year, five one-make categories took centre stage in Hampshire to write the latest chapter in what is already shaping up to be a blockbuster season across the board.
The Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge made their second appearance on the BTCC support bill and like their Junior counterparts, they didn’t disappoint.
Harley Haughton – who has been one of the standout performers in the series thus far – was the driver to beat in Saturday’s opening bout as he charged from third on the grid to claim a well-deserved maiden victory. Haughton then repeated the feat on Sunday with a similarly commanding drive.
Elsewhere, Josh Rowledge and Ian Aguilera enjoyed a share of the spoils in what were two blockbuster Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship races – the second of which ended prematurely
There was plenty of wheel-to-wheel entertainment in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA as Alex Dunne and Aiden Neate stood on the top step of the podium.
Despite starting on pole position, Dunne had to secure victory the hard way in race one as he battled back past Ugo Ugochukwu on lap four after losing the lead off the line. Once back in front, the Irishman powered clear to win and strengthen his title challenge.
Dunne would go on to prevail in race three after Neate led an Argenti Motorsport 1-2 in an enthralling reverse grid contest on Sunday.
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy – which boasted a bumper 30-car entry list – led the way with two frenetic races. Nelson King continued his sensational start to the season as he narrowly prevailed in the opening contest after pipping Louie Capozzoli and Matt Hammond in a drag to the line.
Capozzoli struck back in the second bout as he chalked up his first win of the year after fending off the advances of Alfie Glenie. King was declared the winner of the third race, which was twice affected by red flag stoppages.
Rounding out the weekend’s track action was a pair of pulsating races from the Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB. Now in its third season, the one-make series made its first appearance on the TOCA support package for this season with Harry Foster winning both bouts.
To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Thruxton, CLICK HERE.
Oulton Park provides the next stop on the calendar for the TOCA support package on June 11/12 where the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, MINI CHALLENGE JCW and Ginetta GT4 Supercup all return to action.
