Jac Constable wins messy TCR UK finale at Brands Hatch
Rob Boston Racing’s Jac Constable won a chaotic final TCR UK race of the season at Brands Hatch which was restarted following a heavy multi-car crash.
Constable started fourth on the grid and worked his way to the head of the field with an assertive move on erstwhile leader – and polesitter – Brad Hutchison.
He then fended off a ferocious attack from Jenson Brickley to come out on top by just under half a second, the latter ending up just ahead of Alex Ley, whose third place secured second in the drivers’ standings.
Hutchison led off the original start into Paddock Hill Bend, but was soon passed by the fast-starting Bruce Winfield approaching Druids as chaoc reigned behind.
Recently crowned series champion Carl Boardley tipped front-row starter Oliver Cottam into a spin on the exit of Druids, with the latter’s Audi then whacked by the Cupra of Matt Wilson and then Scott Sumpton. Several others, including Brickley, also took to the grass but the red flags came at the end of the opening lap.
A lengthy clean up and delay followed, with a full restart leaving Hutchison the leader once action resumed.
The field had barely completed one racing lap at the restart before the safety car came out again, this time after a collision between Adam Shepherd’s Hyundai and Joe Marshall’s Audi. Shepherd suffered rear-end damage while Marshall was out on the spot at Paddock.
Hutchison maintained his advantage at the second restart despite coming under pressure from Bruce Winfield’s Hyundai at Druids. Hutchison remained firm in his defence and pushed Winfield onto the grass, giving Constable second.
The Audi then pounced for the lead on the inside of Clearways, catching Hutchison by surprise. Constable, now with clean air, made hay as Brickley also snuck past Hutchison on the exit.
Brickley chased Constable hard for the remainder of the race, staying within a few tenths of a second behind the Audi. But he could not find a gap to make a move, particularly given that Ley loomed large in his mirrors.
Ultimately, the order did not change and Constable headed home Brickley, with Ley unable to do anything in third.
Behind, Callum Newsham prevailed in a lively battle with Carl Boardley to claim fourth at the flag, with Boardley completing the top five ahead of Andy Wilmot, racing in tribute to the late Dan Kirby.
Hutchison struggled for pace after dropping out of the podium fight and finished seventh, with Luke Sargeant, Winfield and Rick Kerry rounding out the top 10.
