MAX EDMUNDSON DOUBLES UP IN REVERSE GRID ENCOUNTER

Max Edmundson made it three successive wins in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE with victory in the second race of the weekend at Silverstone.

Edmundson had been forced to start back in seventh after the reverse grid draw that took place following his win in race one, but made the most of the pace in his Pro Alloys Racing-run car to fight his way through the pack.

Up into second spot by the end of the fifth lap, Edmundson then found himself behind title contender Tom Ovenden, who was looking to secure the points he needed to move into the championship lead.

Ovenden looked good to hold on despite having Edmundson leading a train of cars bidding to get ahead, and it would take until lap eleven when Edmundson managed to nose ahead through Brooklands.

Although unable to shake Ovenden off, Edmundson was relatively comfortable through the closing laps to take what was a fourth success of his rookie season.

“I was hoping to get onto the podium and didn’t really expect to come away with a win,” he said. “I just put the car in the right place at the right time and was able to capitalise from the moves to climb the order.

“We’re on a good run of form and these results are great as there is the potential for people to see what I’m doing and want to get involved for next year…”

Ovenden took second spot with EXCELR8 team-mate Josh Porter crossing the line in third – albeit only after a clash with Alex Solley as the pair battled for the position.

Solley had run strongly in the top three until that point but would ultimately be shuffled back down to sixth by the finish.

Harry Hickton took the flag fourth and bagged the bonus points that were on offer for second spot, with Charlie Hand also taking the flag ahead of Solley.

Lewis Selby had been part of the lead group squabbling over the podium positions but he was suddenly forced to retire on the final lap when the engine on his car cried enough, costing him crucial points in the title race.

Nathan Edwards had also been in that gaggle of cars but a five second time penalty for exceeding track limits knocked him back down the finishing order to ninth behind Harry Campey and Ned Anthony.

Edwards had crossed the line in fourth before the time penalty was applied.