Smyth slides to heat two victory at Walter Hayes Trophy

Photo: Ida Wood

Team Dolan’s Jason Smyth led throughout to win the second heat of the Walter Hayes Trophy at a wet Silverstone.

All eight laps ran uninterrupted under racing conditions on a slippery circuit, with Smyth taking the lead from the inside of the front row at the start while polesitter Josh Fisher had a spin at Copse and dropped down the order.

Smyth pulled out almost a half a second gap to KMR Sport duo Josh Le Roux and Jacob Tofts on the opening lap, while reigning BRSCC National Formula Ford 1600 champion Jordan Kelly gained two spots to fourth.

Dolan driver Kelly set the fastest lap next time by, but then slid wide into the gravel at Luffield and rejoined in 11th.

Smyth’s lead grew to 1.4 seconds before Le Roux reduced the deficit by 0.2s at the halfway mark, but Smyth pulled 0.7s further clear over the next two laps and maintained his advantage until the finish to win by 2.085s.

Tofts came home third ahead of Graham Brunton Racing’s Team Canada scholar Alex Berg. Callum Grant was fifth ahead of James Tucker, while Wayne Poole Racing’s Fisher recovered to seventh ahead of Tom Hawkins.

Kelly gained two places to ninth following his excursion to finish ahead of Chris Acton and Adam Fathers.

PWR1 Racing’s Jeremy Fairbairn had initially qualified on the front row, but was sent to the back of the grid for overtaking under red flags in qualifying. After serving an additional 10-second penalty at the start, the American made up ground to finish 12th ahead of Jake Shortland.

KMR’s Andrew Rackstraw went off at Copse on the opening lap and had a further trip through the gravel at Brooklands. Tom Bradshaw retired early on after becoming beached in the gravel at Luffield.

Race result (8 laps)