JHR Developments driver Adam Smalley was robbed of a top result through a start line incident at Oulton Park after a career-best qualifying.
Adam Smalley's home race weekend at Oulton Park started off brilliantly with his best qualifying performance of the season so far!
The JHR Developments and Ginetta Scholarship winner took the 3rd fastest time overall in qualifying, with his second best lap good enough or 5th fastest in the "Second Best Time Classification". Meaning a 3rd and 5th position start for the two races on Sunday.
The first race saw Smalley make a fantastic start, vaulting up into contention for the lead into turn one. However as three of the leaders headed into turn one, they all ended up squeezing together - with Smalley being pit manoeuvred across the circuit and into the barrier, denying him a chance to fight for a podium in race one.
Despite the damage sustained, including a flipped up bonnet that reduced his visibility to almost nothing! Smalley managed to make up some lost ground - taking the chequered flag in 13th position and only 0.5s off fastest lap.
Starting from the inside of the third row in the second race of the weekend, Smalley lost a place in the turn one jostling but held onto 6th position throughout the opening lap skirmish.
Despite being knocked about a bit by some rival drivers and dropping as low as 9th - the talented youngster from Blackpool battled back to take a fighting 6th position, fending off a train of cars at the end of the race to take 3rd on the Rookie podium.
Despite the disappointment of the first race, seeing Smalley battling regularly now with the pace to compete for the podium based on his Oulton Park and Thruxton performances have been extremely encouraging.
Adam Smalley Racing are also proud to now be associated with f1alloys.co.uk! Check them out online for all your wheel refurbishment needs.
The next round of the championship will take place in North Yorkshire at Croft on the 10-11 June.
Qualifying: 3rd & 5th
Race One: 13th (6th Rookie)
Race Two: 6th (3rd Rookie)
Championship: 7th (117 points)
Brands Hatch Indy
01-02 April
Donington ParK
15-16 April
Thruxton Circuit
06-07 May
Oulton Park
20-21 May
Croft Circuit
10-11 June
Snetterton 300
29-30 July
Knockhill
12-13 August
Rockingham
26-27 August
Silverstone
16-17 September
Brands Hatch
30 Sept - 01 October