BYRNE BACK ON PODIUM IN FINALE

Jack Byrne was hoping for miracles in the final round of the Vertu Motors MINI Challenge UK Trophy Championship as it drew to the seasons end at the iconic Brands Hatch Circuit in Kent. Sitting fourth in the championship coming into the finale after a run of bad luck, he was still statistically within reach of the title.

The reigning Rookie Champion had a difficult qualifying session on a wet track with three red flags and waved yellows hindering his ability to set a fast lap time and having to settle for P7 just behind the championship leader Ovenden.

In Race 1 it didn’t take long to get past the cautious championship leader with a brave move around the outside at Clearways before another red flag put halt to his fight up the order, having to settle for P6

With the weather improving for Sundays two races, the crowds were arriving for the sold out end of season race meeting, featuring the British Truck Racing Championship and a Bonfire Night fireworks display.

In Race 2 Byrne moved from P6 to P2 by the end of lap one, albeit with a good gap to the leader, he would then benefit from a short safety car period allowing him to get onto the back of the race leader Hall, before the racing started again. With Byrne and Hall battling hard for the lead, Byrne made a move around the outside at Druids on the last lap and was pushed onto the grass by the defending leader, Byrne was able to hold onto 2nd at the chequered flag, but was promoted to first following a post-race penalty issued to Hall for gaining unfair advantage. It wasn’t enough to keep Ovenden from the title and he was declared provisional champion for 2023.

With a reverse grid for the final race of the season, Byrne would start from P4 and a P5 finish was enough to jump him to 3rd in the Overall standings just ahead of his team mate Solley.