Rory Smith won the famous Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch on Sunday and in doing so joined the exclusive club of two-time victors at the famous knockout single-seater event.
Smith started this year’s Grand Final from pole position after edging out multiple Formula Ford Festival winner Niall Murray in his Semi-Final. It was Jamie Sharp, Formula Ford Festival winner in 2021 who shared the front row of the grid with Smith for the deciding race however and both duly made a good start.
Smith’s initial lead was followed by an intense dice for position between Sharp and Murray, with the latter eventually coming out on top to begin his pursuit of the leader. Murray quickly closed down Smith’s advantage and make a bold move to take the lead for the first time with a sweep around the outside at Paddock Hill Bend.
This set up a frenetic scrap for the lead between Murray and Smith, with both enjoying spells in the lead as the 20-lap race wore on. It didn’t last to the flag however, with Murray dramatically slowing from and ultimately retiring out of the contest with just two laps left to run. This allowed Smith to drive home to the finish and repeat his previous Festival success of 2020.
Another epic scrap evolved behind with Sharp finding himself in a race-long duel with Chris Middlehurst. This battle was for third through much of the race, but with Murray dropping out of the running, both drivers found themselves with a chance to stand on the podium.
It was Sharp who ultimately claimed second, seizing what he thought was third place on the same lap that Murray came to a halt. Luke Cooper crossed the line fourth with Jordan Dempsey completing the top-five.
Formula Ford Festival, 2023 Grand Final
- Rory Smith, Medina Sport JL18
- Jamie Sharp, Medina Sport JL17, +0.372s
- Chris Middlehurst, Van Diemen LA10, +0.443s
- Luke Cooper, Swift SC20, +0.774s
- Jordan Dempsey, Van Diemen RF00, +1.182s
- Jordan Kelly, Van Diemen RF06, +2.333s
- Jeremy Fairbairn, Ray GR20, +2.863s
- Brandon McCaughan, Van Diemen JA13, +7.833s
- Jack Sullivan, Ray GR18, +8.020s
- Tom Nippers, Van Diemen RF01. +8.224s
The TCR UK title was also settled at Brands Hatch with Carl Boardley sealing the crown with a fourth place in the first race. Race winners were Alex Ley and Jac Constable.
Click here to view the full results from this year’s event.