Ethan Sparks secured a crucial R&G British Talent Cup victory on Saturday afternoon, clinching the Race 2 win after an epic final lap scrap. The #62 extended his championship lead to 18 points after Saturday, with just 25 points remaining this season. Ryan Frost finished in second, with the #24’s title hopes coming to an end after a second-place finish in Race 2 – leaving Frost 40 points adrift. Meanwhile, Mason Foster (Mortimer Racing) claimed a late podium, impressing once again as Filip Surowiak missed out on a rostrum finish.
Jack Dunabie claimed the holeshot on the run to Turn 1, with the #63 looking to repeat his heroics of Race 1. It was a great start for all the title contenders, with Sparks, Surowiak and Frost inside the top four positions after the opening sector. Big moves were made in the opening laps, with just 10 laps to battle following earlier delays to Saturday’s schedule. Dunabie dropped back in the opening laps, allowing Sparks to control the lead.
Frost was determined to win, pouncing on Lap 5 to grab the lead for the first time in Race 2. But as always, Sparks didn’t wait long to respond, with the top three in the championship fighting for the top three spots on the podium. However, Foster was just beginning his podium attack, edging closer to the leaders every lap. Further back, Wilson Racing’s Samuel Munson and Jensen Bishop suffered their own issues – ending their hopes of a strong finish on Lap 7.
Foster remained within striking distance as Frost, Surowiak and Sparks went three wide at the final corner. It was then Foster’s time to shine, entering the podium places for the first time on Saturday after a brave move. Both Surowiak and Frost had their own big moments in the closing laps, remaining on two wheels. Everything came down to the final lap, where Sparks attacked at Clay Hill, leaving no time for a response.
Sparks won by 0.126s, beating Frost and Foster after an incredible second race of the meeting. Surowiak was left disappointed in Race 2, narrowly missing out on further crucial points in fourth – finishing a further 0.064s behind. Harrison Mackay rounded out the top five, beating his RS Racing teammate Dunabie in sixth as Ben Jolliffe and Scott McPhee (SMP Racing) rounded out the top eight. Jack Burrows and George Bowes took the final spots inside the top 10, with the championship going down to the final race of the season.
