Honda duo prepared for title showdown at Oulton Park

The two Hondas of James Dodd and Stewart Whyte are gearing up for a thrilling finale to the first season of the HSCC Super Touring Car Championship.

Heading in to the final round of the season at the Oulton Park Gold Cup, Dodd held a 12 point lead over rival Whyte, needing only a pair of podium positions to guarantee the title. Previous meetings at Oulton Park suggested that Dodd would walk it home, having taken four wins in the last four races at the Cheshire circuit.

However, a mistake at Lodge in qualifying saw the driver of the 1999 ex-James Thompson Accord go straight on in to the tyre wall, reminiscent of Russell Spence’s crash during the ’99 season, only this time staying on the right side of the barrier.

Meanwhile Whyte, driving the 2000 ex-Tom Kristensen Accord, made the most of the opportunity and stormed to pole on a drying track, while Dodd had to settle for the back of the grid. Whyte continued his form in the race, storming away from the chasing pack while Dodd worked his way up to the field, crossing the finish line in fourth place to keep a five point lead in the championship.

With the old Formula 1 style points (9-6-4-3-2-1) in use, and a bonus point for the fastest lap, Dodd now needs to finish second – or third with the fastest lap – to guarantee the title. Although with the weather forecast looking gloomy, the 4WD Audi A4 of Paul Smith may look to spoil Whyte’s party and could throw a spanner in the works.

Mathematically, John Cleland could still finish second in the standings, assuming he takes all 10 points and Whyte non-scores, which is a highly unlikely outcome and the two-time BTCC champion is all but secure in taking third place.

Whatever the outcome is this afternoon, the Super Touring Car Championship’s organisers can look back on a successful first year of running with impressive battles up and down the field, even with thin entry lists from time to time.