Date: 30/08/2021
Track: Donington Park
Following an action-packed final three rounds at Donington Park on August Bank Holiday Monday, Lewis Kent emerged as the 2021 Goodyear Touring Car Trophy TCR UK winner. In a truly exciting and unpredictable trilogy of races, a calculated performance saw him do exactly what was needed to retain the title he won in 2020.
RACE DAY
Race 1: Bradley and Lewis finished in 4th and 8th position respectively in the first race of the weekend, meaning they were both very much still in the hunt for the Championship.
Race 2: A 5th and 6th place finish respectively for Brad and Lewis in race 2 meant that it would all now go down to the final race of the season.
Race 3: The outcome of race two meant there were now four drivers left for what was, due to fading light and an ever-tightening timetable, a 15-minute showdown for the title.
For the third race of the day, grid positions are dictated by the second-fastest time set in qualifying. This put Morgan on Pole, Winfield second and Constable third, whilst Hart, Bradley Kent and Lewis Kent were 4th, 6th and 16th respectively – a starting line-up that made predicting who would become champion even more of a lottery.
As the race reached its half-way point Bradley Kent passed Kirby and got onto the back of the leading trio. A lap later and with all four nose-to-tail, Constable went for the lead and pulled alongside Winfield as they dived down the Craner Curves, the two cars touched and trying to avoid going into the back of them, so did those of Kent and Wilmot – the high-speed contact sending Constable and Wilmot into the gravel and out of the race.
Whilst Winfield continued unscathed, the same could not be said for Bradley Kent, who pulled into the pits and retired at the end of the lap. Kirby was only too pleased to inherit second place with Cook now third and Will Butler – who was having his best race of the day – in fourth driving his Power Maxed Car Care Racing CUPRA TCR.
Importantly for the title, Lewis Kent was now 7th and with only Winfield now able to ruin the party, the champion elect made sure he kept out of trouble to secure his second Touring Car Trophy title in succession.
Following the race, Goodyear announced that it would provide Lewis with an opportunity to test BTCC car in November.
CONCLUSION
Lewis Kent – 2021 Goodyear Touring Car Trophy Champion
“What a day! That was intense. Because of what happened in qualifying and because we were struggling for pace on occasions, I have to admit I was a bit concerned this morning. So to take the title – and for the second year running – is fantastic. I can’t believe it. I’m lost for words.
“For the last race I was counting down the laps and the cars I passed. It really was a case of just keeping out of trouble and getting across the line.
“It was shame what happened to Brad. It would have been great to score a one-two for the team. I really can’t thank all the guys and our sponsors enough for all the support. I’m now looking forward to celebrating the season we’ve had and then making plans for our next.”
