HENRY HOWARTH LEADS JAMSPORT 1-2 IN DONINGTON PARK OPENER

Henry Howarth scored the first JCW Sport class win of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE season with an impressive performance in the opening race of the year at Donington Park.

Howarth started from pole position at the wheel of his Jamsport-run car and nailed the start when the lights went out, which allowed him to move ahead of the JCW-spec car of Harry Campey.

That meant he had a rival between him and Chris MacKenzie after an early caution period to recover a JCW car from the gravel, although it didn’t take long for Campey to move ahead on the road to leave the Sport runners line astern on track.

Howarth however was able to build a comfortable lead over MacKenzie and Ben Crossley before the action halted to recover the JCW car of Harry Hickton and repair damage to the barriers on the exit of the final corner.

On the restart, Howarth again made a strong start to maintain his advantage, but there would be drama behind for MacKenzie as he ran wide and went across the grass on the exit of the Old Hairpin, damaging his diffuser and ultimately forcing him back into the pits to retire.

Howarth eased clear at the front and would take the flag more than three seconds clear to score victory.

“We knew we were quick after qualifying, so I’m delighted to get the win,” he said. “It was a bit annoying to lose a big lead with the red flag, particularly when I’d had to battle with the JCW cars early on, but to break away on the restart again and come home with the victory is a brilliant start.”

The fight for second would develop after the restart between Crossley and Nicky Gauci, with Crossley looking good to take the position until Gauci forced his way through to wrap up a Jamsport 1-2 finish.

“I can’t believe it for my first race,” Gauci – who also bagged fastest lap – said. “I had a rubbish start but I managed to keep my lap times low and made up some clean overtakes – apart from the last one when there was a big of contact with Ben.

“It’s a big boost to my confidence to get a podium as I know I can do it now, and hopefully we can build on it tomorrow.”

Crossley was left to settle for third spot, with Will Crooks rounding out the finishers in the class after Archie Johnson was unable to take the restart as a result of an alternator issue on his car.

Johnson had looked well placed to bounce back from a difficult qualifying session as he made up spaces prior to stoppage having started at the back of the grid.