ALBERT WEBSTER DOUBLES UP IN SCOTLAND

Albert Webster made it two wins from two at Knockhill with his second JCW Sport class victory in the latest rounds of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE.

Webster had taken top spot in the opening race but was forced to start race two from the back of the field thanks to the reverse grid draw, making his task far from easy around the tight and twisty Scottish circuit.

Ben Crossley lined up on pole in his Jamsport-run car but lost the lead on the opening lap to team-mate and championship leader Dylan Hotchin, who was bidding to bounce back from a tough start to the weekend.

Crossley slipped down the pack on the second lap as both Chris MacKenzie and Webster got ahead, with Webster quickly then overhauling the Bitcoin Racing man when he ran wide on the exit of turn three.

Webster then closed in on Hotchin for the lead and on the 13th lap, was able to go around the outside at turn one to grab the position, with Hotchin mindful of his need to continue picking up points for the title race.

Whilst he kept Webster honest throughout, the JRW Motorsport man was able to take his eighth win of the campaign and will now chase a hat-trick in race three.

“It was a brilliant race,” he said. “We came from the back and I was able to follow MacKenzie through and then got up to P2 when he ran wide. I made a good move on Dylan for the lead but I’d had time to push hard to catch up and the tyres were getting really hot, so he was able to keep me honest towards the end.”

Hotchin followed him across the line to maintain his advantage at the top of the standings, with third going to the Invitational entry of Hannah Chapman – although her status on the grid meant the podium was rounded out by Cameron Richardson.

“I was just focused on the points,” Hotchin said. “I wasn’t bothered about trying to get back ahead of Albert and he can take the wins as we just need to keep th points ticking over.

“This has been a tough weekend as I’d not been before and then we did two driveshafts and a gearbox on Friday – so I’m still really learning as I go, which has been a nightmare.”

Richardson’s race was impacted by two penalties for track limits infringements, with Crossley also penalised twice by the officials. MacKenzie would pick up three penalties that left him at the back of the field.