Harry Bloor claims maiden TCR UK win at Donington
Harry Bloor claimed his maiden TCR UK win in the second race of the weekend at Donington Park from seventh position on the reversed grid.
Barry-John McHenry started his Vannin Motorsport-prepared Audi from pole position and headed the field ahead of a fast-starting Rod McGovern who was up into second place from fifth on the grid heading into Turn 1.
Disaster struck points leader Callum Newsham who slowed after Turn 1 with an apparent right-rear puncture and headed into the pits, dropping two laps on the leaders to finish ninth and last of the classified drivers.
The lead was not to last for long for McHenry who made a mistake and went off onto the grass during the first lap, handing the lead to McGovern.
Hyundai driver Rick Kerry made a mistake heading into McLeans and collected Russell Joyce, sending both off into the gravel and retirement.
Double yellow flags were shown for the entirety of the recovery period of the two cars, with no safety car heading onto the track despite recovery vehicles being present in the gravel trap.
Bloor had already made his way up into second place by the end of the first lap and managed to pass McGovern for the lead heading into Craner Curves on lap three, with Max Hart following past as well for second place.
Race 1 winner Adam Shepherd was also on the move early on in the race from tenth place on the grid, battling hard with points leader Jenson O’Neill Going on his way to challenge for the podium positions.
Carl Boardley attacked Brad Hutchison for fifth place on lap seven heading into McLeans, resulting in contact between the two and a gravel visit. Boardley was able to rejoin the track briefly before heading into the pits to retire while Hutchison was left stuck in the gravel.
Audi driver Shepherd piled the pressure on Hart in the fight for second place as the race neared the end. Shepherd managed to get past for second place on lap 13 of 18.
Max Hall managed to pass rival Honda driver O’Neill Going for fourth place on lap 14.
O’Neill Going was also passed by Rod McGovern with two laps left, although McGovern had a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits looming over his head.
But O’Neill Going slowed down soon after with what seemed to be a technical issue, dropping from sixth place down to eighth, a lap down on the leaders.
Bloor won the race by close to six seconds over Shepherd while Hart rounded off the podium, eleven seconds adrift.
Hall came home in fourth place ahead of McGovern and pole-sitter McHenry.
The third and final race of the weekend starts at 15:50 local time/16:50 CEST.
