Finlay Lines kicks off 2026 with a second place at the TKC Winter Cup

Finlay made a strong and encouraging start to his 2026 racing season at the TKC Winter Cup, held at Whilton Mill, overcoming freezing conditions to secure an impressive second-place finish in the Final.

With sub-zero temperatures throughout the weekend, conditions proved extremely challenging for drivers and teams alike, placing a premium on kart balance, tyre management and consistency. Despite this, Finlay showed competitive pace from the outset, immediately establishing himself as a front-running contender in a highly competitive Winter Cup field.

Working closely with KR Sport and KR Sport Engines, the focus across the weekend was not only on outright performance, but also on maximising track time and gathering valuable data ahead of the main 2026 season. The team identified a minor teething issue early on, which was quickly resolved through careful analysis and collaboration, allowing Finlay to push with confidence as the weekend progressed.

Across the heats, Finlay delivered a series of mature and measured drives, combining strong race craft with a calm approach in difficult conditions. With grip at a premium and mistakes proving costly, he kept his racing clean, avoided incidents and consistently ran at the sharp end of the field, underlining both his pace and composure.

In the Final, Finlay produced his strongest performance of the weekend. Starting among the leading pack, he immediately settled into a competitive rhythm and maintained pressure at the front throughout the race. Demonstrating excellent control and consistency, he capitalised on the work completed earlier in the weekend to bring the kart home in a well-earned second position, securing a podium finish to open his 2026 campaign.

The result represents a positive step forward for Finlay and his team, providing a solid foundation to build upon as preparations continue for the upcoming season. Beyond the podium finish, the weekend delivered valuable learning opportunities and confirmed the progress made over the winter months.

Reflecting on the event, Finlay commented: “It was a tough weekend with the cold conditions, but overall a really positive start to the year. We had good pace and learned a lot as a team. A big thank you to KR Sport and KR Sport Engines for all their hard work and support — I’m pleased to come away with a podium and looking forward to what’s next.”