ALBERT WEBSTER WINS FINALE AS DYLAN HOTCHIN CROWNED SPORT CHAMPION

Albert Webster battled his way to JCW Sport class honours in the final round of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE season at Brands Hatch, but Dylan Hotchin did what he needed to do to become the inaugural champion.

Hotchin went into the race knowing that the title would be his if he finished the race, but any issues for the JamSport Racing man would open the door for Cameron Richardson to potentially steal the championship.

As the field came round to the start, there was a sudden score for the champion elect when he peeled off into the pits, with JamSport getting to work on his car which was misting up inside in worsening weather conditions as rain started to fall.

As the lights went out, it was Richardson who led the field away, with Hotchin eventually rejoining as the rest of the grid headed up to Druids for the first time.

Whilst Hotchin circulated slowly at the back of the field knowing that he only needed to bring his car to the chequered flag, Richardson was under pressure from Webster for the class lead with both running behind the Sustainable Fuel Development car in the hands of Lee Allen – which had rocketed through the Sport field on the opening lap.

Webster grabbed the class lead on the second lap and from that point on, diced with Allen at the front of the pack; the pair making contact more than once whilst running side-by-side for position.

The MINI CHALLENGE Scholarship winner eventually managed to get ahead on the final lap when Allen had a moment and ran off track, which left Webster free at the front to secure the victory ahead of Richardson.

The NAPA Racing UK man knew he needed a top two finish in case of issues for Hotchin and he would be unable to challenge Webster for the win, instead electing to focus on the points and then see what happened elsewhere.

Richardson was well clear of Chris MacKenzie in third with a big gap back to fourth placed Ben Crossley, who rounded out his season as the only driver in the Sport class to finish each of the 19 races.

The big winner however would be Hotchin as he cruised to the finish to wrap up the championship title, despite his pace being slow enough that he was lapped by the field.