Lewis Kent leaves the opening Oulton Park weekend for the Dunlop Touring Car Trophy/TCR UK with a race win, 47 points and the championship lead. A lightning start for the Hyundai i30 N TCR on a damp circuit saw him hit back at rival Henry Neal to ensure the pair leave the weekend with just one point between them.
Henry Neal, courtesy of his race one victory, lined up on pole, though was a little too eager to get away, requiring a push back into the grid slot. It mattered not though as Lewis Kent made the most of the superior grip on the outside to launch into the lead before the pair reach Old Hall.
Neal though was far from the unluckiest starter, with Tim Docker struggling to get the traction away and being momentarily delayed by the VW Racing Cup competitors who also share the track time.
Kent was quick to build a gap, fully aware of the speed Neal had in the second half of the season opener. This time, the Honda could not fully adapt to the slightly drier conditions as Kent pulled away controlling the pace and taking a stunning maiden win of the year, his first since Croft.
Neal backed off in the closing laps and came home a respectable second to ensure the championship fight is kept very much alive going into the next round. Behind them, Max Hart continued to put in a solid performance, once again beating Darelle Wilson to third and capping off a respectable first weekend for the Irish peddler, who had long since put his qualification crash behind him.
Wilson in his Vauxhall Astra TCR would cross the line in a lonely fourth, unable to improve upon his early race pace as Tim Docker completed the finishers with his Volkswagen Golf GTI. Kirby pitted after the second lap due to technical issues.
The TCT/TCR UK Championship returns at the home of British Motorsport on the 12/13 September, racing on the Silverstone National circuit.
