Rallying: Cruttenden scores season-best at Silverstone

Photo: Jon Cruttenden Photography

MG Trophy rookie Joe Cruttenden in action

MG Trophy newcomer Joe Cruttenden continued to build on his strong start to his inaugural season in the MG ZR championship, taking a solid points haul away from the Silverstone double header last weekend (18/19 June).

The 27-year-old driver brought his MG home in an impressive fourth spot in Class C in the opening race of the weekend, which was then backed up with sixth in the second.

As one of the most popular single make racing formulae in the UK, the MG Trophy caters for all abilities and budgets. Class C is designed as an entry level route to the series whilst offering the same level of race craft required to do well. In just his first season behind the wheel of a racing car, Cruttenden leaves the Northamptonshire circuit in 14th overall and sixth in the championship standings.

The trophy reached its halfway point of the season at Silverstone with rounds five and six seeing a record number of cars the grid thanks to organisers MG Car Club’s MG Live event. With 43 cars due to line up for the opening race on Saturday, qualifying would always be a busy affair and Cruttenden would need to try and find a clear circuit ahead to record a decent lap time for the opener.

However, as predicted, the sheer number of cars on the circuit at once hampered any chance of a trouble-free flying lap and Cruttenden ended the session fourth in Class C for both weekend races.

Cruttenden had a great start in race one grid and settled into a class podium spot during the opening laps of the circuit. Defending his position proved tricky for the rookie and despite holding his own for much of the race, he slipped back to fourth when a tussle ended with him needing to take avoiding action to miss a spinner. A season-best fourth in class was a reward for his efforts.

Race two was pretty much a mirror image for Cruttenden. A good getaway from the grid offered the opportunity to battle for position early on, but his chances of another fourth in class disappeared with a spin at Brooklands. It got worse for the Rochdale based team, spinning again on the next tour, once again at Brooklands.

A safety car offered the chance of a breather and Cruttenden took the remaining laps by the scruff of the neck, climbing from eighth to take the chequered flag in sixth on the very last lap.

Cruttenden said: “It was certainly been a tough weekend but I`ve probably learnt more in two races that I have all season so far.

“When I managed to string some consistent laps together, the pace was there and I know I could have done better still in race two without the two spins.

"It was harder than ever with over 40 cars on the track and I'm still getting used to battling with drivers with wide elbows.

"I'm happy enough with the result and it was important to get a decent haul of points for the championship."

Cruttenden now lies 14th overall in the championship and sixth in Class C with just 10 points separating third to sixth. The series now moves to Scotland and Knockhill Race Circuit on 8 July  for rounds nine and ten.