Max Hart secures Maiden Win as Henry Neal Crowned TCT Champion
A golden weekend at Donington Park concluded with Henry Neal sealing the overall Dunlop Touring Car Trophy. The Team Dynamics racer kept his head to keep key rival Lewis Kent at bay in the final race of the year. His efforts were enough to see him also take home the Sunoco Award for fastest lap over the weekend, with a 1:10.717.
Even though Kent missed on the overall title, he would finish third, giving him the TCR UK crown. Smiles would continue though at Maximum Motorsport as Max Hart crossed the line to win his first overall race of the year and his first in Touring Cars.
Disaster struck for the ever-impressive Sam Osbourne on the formation lap as his blown drive shaft issue reappeared, leading to him not taking the start.
Attention instead turned to the leaders as a poor start for Henry Neal gave Lewis Kent the opportunity to storm away from pole, building a gap to the Honda Civic Type R, who had to battle back past Max Hart on the opening lap.
The usual order appeared to have been resumed as Neal looked to close in on the ever-impressive Essex and Kent Motorsport driver. Kent, knowing how much he needed the position was happy to run a defensive line after the safety car, allowing Hart the opportunity to pounce. Hart did not need to be asked twice and within a lap made his way past Kent and then Neal, who was going to fight for the lead too hard.
With Hart extending his gap out front, Neal turned his attention to keeping Kent behind, managing to do so throughout and taking the title. Finishing the year on 146 points, Neal ended the year 15 points ahead of Kent on 133. Finishing third in the standings on 101 points, the same as his race number.
Fourth over the line would be William Butler, pulling off his best result of the year ahead of Darrelle Wilson who completed the finishers in his Vauxhall Astra TCR.