Murray’s magical season continues

By Stephen Leonard

NIALL Murray’s amazing season in motor racing continued last weekend after he became the first Kent-engined driver to twice win the overall Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival.

The Firhouse man, who had already captured the British Formula Ford 1600 Championship title and the Martin Donnelly Trophy this season, was certainly the driver to beat coming into this outing.

Yet he managed to produce another tremendous performance to surmount very strong opposition, including former Festival winner Scott Malvern, and raise the coveted prize.

He was on pole for his semi-final on Sunday and, true to form, made another superb start to lead into Paddock Hill bend.

Yet all his efforts to open up a gap were undone as the Safety Car was brought out as a result of a mid-pack collision.

Once that left the track, Murray set about taking control of the race, setting a number of fastest lap times on his way to a victory of more than four seconds.

Yet because of the Safety Car, Murray’s semi-final was not as fast as the other and he had to settle for second place on the starting grid for the final.

He attempted to make his customary break for the lead off the line, but Malvern was ready for this and closed him out.

Yet he bided his time and made the move for the lead heading into Lap Three and managed to squeeze through and remain out in front, taking the chequered flag almost four seconds ahead of his British rival.

“It’s the best feeling to win it,” Murray told The Echo. “I had won it in 2013, but this one is probably even sweeter.

“I was up against tougher competition and I was under far more pressure having won the championship. I was probably the favourite coming into it and that made it tougher,” he pointed out.

Looking back on an unforgettable season so far, the Dubliner said “It’s been absolutely brilliant. Coming into the start of the season I was looking at all the drivers who were there and I never would have thought I’d win 12 out of the 16 races in the championship, win the Martin Donnelly Trophy in Kirkistown and the Formula Ford Festival.

“I always knew I was capable of doing it but to actually do it is just amazing.

“I’ve really grown as a driver this year, I’ve made very few mistakes and I’ve been the most consistent,” he added.

Murray will be going for an unprecedented Formula Ford clean sweep when he travels to Silverstone for the Walter Hayes Trophy on November 5/6.

Having yet to win this event, Murray knows just how challenging it is.

“I’ve never won this before. In 2014 I was leading it at one stage but my car got damaged and my fourth gear was way too short and I ended up fourth,” he recalled.

“It [the competition] is absolutely huge. There could be about 100 cars there and a lot of it does depend on luck.

“I’ll be targeted, but anything can happen and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.