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Brands Hatch team report
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Disappointingly low numbers for the opening event although this was mainly due to 5 new drivers just not being ready due to one reason or another and although the numbers are unlikely to improve significantly prior to Pembrey in two weeks time; the first Donington event in April should have a much larger grid hopefully exceeding 20 pickup trucks.
New drivers present here for this weekend included Nick White joining his dad Phil on the grid and John O’Regan who appears to be doing 'double duties' with the National Hot Rods. It is always great news to see new drivers join the series but it is really pleasing for the team that Nick is racing this year as Nick joined the series following him sampling the trucks using his dads truck at the teams 'taster day' back in November and we are already aware that at least a further two drivers from the 'taster day' have already booked the Just4Fun Motorsport hire truck from Stuart Anibal for meetings coming up soon.
The qualifying session was hampered by light rain which made the track very slippery. Once again the team chose to try and obtain grid positions rather than fastest laps and additional championship points. Come the end of the two sessions, Lee secured second row starts for both of Sundays races.
Lee had a great battle with Phil White and Dave Longhurst in race 1 and although Roge struggled to stay with the Duratec powered trucks up the straights, he did appear to have an edge through the bends. An impressive and aggressive showing from the 69 truck was rewarded with a result of 8th.
Race 1 result:
1. Steve Dance
2. Nic Grindrod
3. Michael Smith
4. Simon Carr
5. Damien Carr
6. David Longhurst
7. Phil White
8. LEE ROGERS
9. Carl Boardley
10. Neil Tressler
11. Nick White
12. David O’Regan
13. Charlie Weaver
For race two, Lee had to work even harder to hold back the faster trucks coming from the rear of the grid and at times had to make the #69 truck ‘very wide!’
Excellent driving to protect his line during the early stages and Lee did look to be catching the lead drivers during the middle section of the race although towards the end Lee was was again under huge pressure from Damien Carr however, Lee did enough to keep Damien behind to earn a well deserved 4th place in the final race of the day.
Race 2 result:
1. Steve Dance
2. Carl Boardley
3. Michael Smith
4. LEE ROGERS
5. Damien Carr
6. David Longhurst
7. Neil Tressler
8. David O’Regan
9. Nic Grindrod
10. Nick White
11. Simon Carr
DNF. Phil White
DNF. Charlie Weaver
After the first weekend of the season, Lee is currently in 6th place in the championship, 4th place in the ‘hard charger’ table and is leading the ‘challenge shield’ table.
