TOCA support championship deliver non-stop entertainment at Croft

There was high-drama, championship warning shots being fired, first-time wins being claimed and local drivers coming to the fore on the TOCA support package at Croft this past weekend (June 23/24).

Marking the latest stop on the calendar and the last before the annual summer break, four championships were in action in front of a bumper Yorkshire crowd, all of which were basking in the searing sun.

Entering the weekend just a handful of points off of the standings summit, Max Coates enjoyed a dream weekend in the Renault UK Clio Cup. Living just a stones throw away from the circuit, the Pyro driver had home support on his side as he charged to pole position in both races.

Losing the lead in race one to Paul Rivett, Coates hounded the multiple champion in the opener but was ultimately unable to make his move, settling for second whilst Daniel Rowbottom finished third.

Coates wasn’t to be denied in race two however as he led Rivett from lights-to-flag, taking an emotional home victory and vaulting to the top of the points. James Dorlin, who had entered the weekend as the series leader, endured a nightmare two races – scoring a best finish of sixth.

Carl Boardley took a sizeable chunk out of Charlie Ladell’s lead in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup over the course of three races. Boardley stormed to victory in races one and two around the Yorkshire venue, issuing a severe warning shot to his title rival in the process.

Ladell had looked set to score a win of his own in the third race however tyre degradation proved to be his undoing. That therefore opened the door for Harry King to pounce on those ahead of him and power onto a win that was more than seven seconds come the chequered flag.

There was a double-winner in the Ginetta Junior Championship too, with Adam Smalley strengthening his position atop the points standings. The Elite Motorsport driver powered his distinctly coloured machine to wins in races one and two, leaving his chief title rivals in his wake.

Race three proved to be an action-packed encounter with Smalley losing out at the start to Luke Browning. His lead wasn’t to last long though as Fin Green slipped past Browning on the opening tour and from there wasn’t challenged – going on to score his maiden victory in the series.

The F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost was in fine form too as Kiern Jewiss starred once again, scoring his fifth victory of the season. Jewiss’ triumph further emphasised his status as one of the leading contenders for the single seater crown.

Jewiss bagged his latest victory in round 14, either side of wins for Dennis Hauger as he threw his hat into the mix for title glory too.

For the full classification of results from all championship sessions over the weekend, click here.

The TOCA support package returns to action on July 28/29 at Snetterton, with all five categories hitting the track to kickstart the second half of the 2018 season.