Multiple reigning British Truck Racing Championship title winner Ryan Smith got his 2023 campaign off to an emphatic start at Brands Hatch, by heading home the Class 1 field in both races on the Indy circuit this afternoon (Saturday).
Smith controlled the season opener throughout earlier in the day, leading from the off his Daimler Freightliner to take the chequered flag. An early red flag stoppage halted the serial winner's initial charge as Steven Powell, Michael Oliver and Jock Borthwick took to the gravel trap at Druids, but upon the resumption, Smith continued his charge from the pack.
David Jenkins, another of the series' best established frontrunners, attempted to apply pressure to the seven-time champion, but he was forced to settle for second in his MAN TGX, eventually crossing the line just over six seconds adrift of his rival. Simon Reid completed the race one rostrum, with Stuart Oliver an Bradley Smith completing the top-five after 13 laps.
Smith conquered the opposition once again in the second of the day's two races. The race ran for a shorter distance however, following a pair of red flags, the latter of which brought a premature close to the race when Ricky Collett's MAN TGX came to a halt on the approach to Paddock Hill Bend.
This time it was Stuart Oliver who proved to be Smith's chief pursuer, with the experienced driver completing the shortened race distance just 3.340s adrift of the series' benchmark competitor. Jenkins once again offered an indication of his title-chasing form by returning to the podium in third, ahead of Reid and Jock Borthwick, who recovered from his race one retirement to finish in the top-five.
In Class 2, the honours were divided with Adam Bint claiming victory in the first of the day's two races from John Powell and Craig Evans. Powell fought back in the second encounter of the day though, beating Bint into second whilst Evans once again completed the top-three.
British Truck Racing Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 1, Top-Five
- Ryan Smith, Daimler Freightliner, 13 laps
- David Jenkins, MAN TGX, +6.223s
- Simon Reid, Iveco Stralis, +9.343s
- Stuart Oliver, Volvo VNL, +12.308s
- Bradley Smith, MAN TGX, +18.340s
British Truck Racing Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2, Top-Five
- Ryan Smith, Daimler Freightliner, 4 laps
- Stuart Oliver, Volvo VNL, +3.340s
- David Jenkins, MAN TGX, +4.473s
- Simon Reid, Iveco Stralis, +5.959s
- Jock Borthwick, MAN TGX, +7.481s
Click here for full timings.
Today's two truck races act as a prelude to a full-on triple-header day of action on Easter Sunday, with the three British Truck Racing Championship battles complemented by a busy support programme. There will be off-track action too for what is sure to be a great family day out.
Tickets for Sunday are £28 on the gate with reductions for 13-15-year-olds and free entry for under-13s.