Brands Hatch Thrills: Yates Dominates for His Second Win
As the sun blazed down on **Brands Hatch**, the third installment of the **Ferrari Challenge UK Trofeo Pirelli** series ignited the raceway in Kent. Today’s **Race 1** challenged drivers to master the shortened Indy Circuit layout while contending with soaring summer temperatures—setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown in their **Ferrari 296 Challenge** race cars. Tomorrow, anticipation builds as competitors prepare to tackle the longer and more intricate Grand Prix track.
Qualifying Rounds: A Fight for Pole Position
Qualifying 1 was nothing short of electrifying. In the **Trofeo Pirelli**, **Gilbert Yates** from **Charles Hurst** showcased extraordinary resilience. After an earlier mishap during qualifying, Yates made a spectacular comeback—thanks to the lightning-fast efforts of his **Ferrari pit crew**. He dashed back onto the track just in time, clocking an impressive lap time of **45.878 seconds**, securing the coveted pole position. Meanwhile, in the **Coppa Shell**, **Mike Dewhirst** of **Dick Lovett Swindon** found his stride, clinching the top spot in his class with a time of **46.345 seconds**.
Race 1: Trofeo Pirelli Showdown
As the lights flickered to green, the excitement kicked into high gear. **Paul Simmerson** of **Graypaul Birmingham** capitalized on the opportunity, darting up the inside of **Pranav Vangala** from **HR Owen** as the two entered **Paddock Hill**. Not one to back down, **Fedor Samorukov** (also HR Owen) eyed an opening behind him, although Vangala held his ground to fend off early challenges.
In the lead, Yates seized the moment, leveraging the chaos behind him to fortify his position. As the race unfolded, Vangala regained his rhythm, narrowing the gap to Simmerson. Newcomer **Calum Leathem** (Charles Hurst) settled into the race nicely, overtaking Samorukov, who eventually faced mechanical issues leading to his retirement.
As the laps ticked away, Vangala mounted a spirited charge against Simmerson, with the tension palpable around the **1.21-mile circuit**. The HR Owen driver finally managed a bold pass as they entered **Druids**, completing the daring maneuver as they sped out of **Surtees**.
Despite Vangala’s relentless efforts to close the gap on Yates, the reigning champion showcased his prowess. Aware of Vangala’s gains, Yates revved up his pace in his Ferrari 296 Challenge, ultimately clinching a decisive victory in the first race of the weekend.
The Coppa Shell: A Battle for Glory
In the **Coppa Shell**, **Peter Hunter** from **Stratstone Manchester** surged ahead from the rolling start, successfully overtaking both **Paul Rogers** (HR Owen) and Dewhirst to seize the early lead. Meanwhile, **Steve Dopson** (Dick Lovett Swindon) made thrilling progress, maneuvering past **Huseyin Sert** (Maranello Sales) to occupy sixth place overall.
As the race progressed and temperatures soared, the Coppa Shell drivers shifted focus to conserving their tires. Hunter remained steady, maintaining a robust pace until the half-race mark when Dewhirst unleashed a barrage of quick laps, closing the gap to a mere half-second.
With just a few laps remaining, Dewhirst, who had been strategically conserving his tires, aimed for the ultimate move. However, Hunter was unyielding, denying any opportunity as the pair approached Druids. An unfortunate off-track incident by Dopson just before the race concluded led to an early appearance of the chequered flag. Hunter held his nerve, racing valiantly to the finish to secure his **second consecutive win**.
What’s Next in the Championship?
Looking ahead, the excitement continues as **Qualifying 2** kicks off tomorrow at **12:25**, with **Race 2** set to commence at **15:30**. Fans can catch the action live at the circuit or online at [live.ferrari.com](http://live.ferrari.com).
