Max Hall snatches thrilling TCR UK race 2 win at Donington Park
Maximus Hall came out on top in a thrilling second TCR UK race of the Donington Park weekend, striking late to claim victory from Brad Hutchison by just two-tenths of a second.
The Honda Civic Type-R driver started sixth on the grid but made good progress in the early stages to take the fight to early leader Harry Bloor and Hutchison.
As Bloor eventually fell by the wayside entering the closing stages, it was up to Hutchison and Hall to duke it out for the victory, with the latter making a superb lunge on the final lap to prevail.
Hutchison had to make do with second place, with 2025 TCR UK champion Adam Shepherd completing the podium in third.
Polesitter Rod McGovern initially got a good start and led the field into Redgate for the first time, with the fast-starting Luke Sargeant slotting into second place.
The pair then fell off the road together at the Old Hairpin as McGovern slid wide onto the gravel, taking the luckless Sargeant with him and handing Bloor the lead.
Behind, Hutchison was second ahead of Maximus Hall’s Honda Civic Type-R, with all three going side by side on the main straight as the lead scrap intensified on lap three.
Further down the order, Jenson O’Neill-Going and Adam Shepherd came to blows at the final corner; front-end damage ended O’Neill-Going’s race.
Hall and Hutchison then banged door panels all the way down the Craner Curves as they disputed second place, giving Bloor the opportunity to open up a slender margin out front and bring Max Hart into the mix behind.
Hart took fourth from Hall but soon fell behind his Honda stablemate on the exit of Redgate.
Out front, the top three of Bloor, Hutchison and Hall made a break from the chasing pack and remained nose-to-tail.
Hutchison then seized the lead of the race under braking for Redgate but Bloor sensationally responded at the Old Hairpin to edge his nose back ahead. With success ballast onboard, Bloor eventually lost out to Hutchison before losing second place to Hall.
This squabbling brought Shepherd, Hart and Newsham into the mix entering the final minutes.
Hutchison and Hall then broke clear in the closing laps as Bloor was handed a five-second penalty for track limits infringements.
The pair were inseparable on the final lap, with Hall diving for the inside of the Old Hairpin for the lead; the two cars went side by side on the run towards McLean’s with Hall just about hanging onto the victory from Hutchison by just 0.223s at the line.
Shepherd was third ahead of Hart with Newsham and Sargeant completing the top six.
After his penalty, Bloor was seventh ahead of McGovern and McHenry.
