Murray does enough to secure another British title
NIALL Murray has virtually secured his second British National Formula Ford 1600 Championship title with three races remaining, compliments of his Race Three win in Croft last weekend.
The 2016 champion from Firhouse returned to the series with the newly formed Team DOLAN, led by Bernard Dolan who engineered Murray’s last successful campaign, which coincidentally culminated in championship victory in Croft that season also.
Murray’s return to form was immediate and impressive, a trio of podium finishes at the opening round that included a win in Race Three was a statement of intent.
And, from there, he continued on to win a further nine races, including all three in Castle Combe, setting him up to potentially move out of reach of all his rivals at the penultimate weekend in Croft.
However, it was not to prove so straight forward as, looking to cut through the field from a ninth place start in the opening race, he suffered suspension failure, forcing him to retire.
It meant he had to start Sunday’s second race from 17th, but a mature drive from the Murray Motorsport-backed competitor saw him climb ten places to seventh.
Crucially the reverse grid draw played into his hands and he was placed on the outside of the front row for the last contest of the day.
A superb start saw the Van Diemen man shoot past his teammate Jack Wolfenden and into the lead and he controlled the race from the front throughout.
Indeed, despite the advances of fellow Irishman Jordan Dempsey, he was able to secure his 11th win of the season and with it, extend his advantage at the top of the points table beyond the reach of his rivals to provisionally secure his second BRSCC National Formula Ford 1600 Championship title.
“I’m absolutely delighted to unofficially seal my sixth championship in five years,” exclaimed Murray.
“We’ve had a few DNFs this season, but I’m delighted to say that I’ve won at least one race at every weekend this year and today’s first race was the only race all year I’ve finished off the podium.
“A huge congratulations and thanks to all the guys at Team DOLAN for all their hard work throughout the year.
“Also a big shout out to all my very loyal sponsors who’ve stuck by me over the last number of years, it’s great to be able to reward them with lots of success like this,” he added.
TAGS Sport
