as Lawson leads Cupras to Oulton
Robert Lawson (Bardon/JHR) looked to be running away with the 2008 SEAT Cupra Championship in the first half of this season, but heading deep into the second half, with Rounds 13 and 14 at Oulton Park (July 26/27) in Cheshire, just a 27 point gap cushions him from Carl Breeze (Blue Chip/Welch Motorsport).
Breeze himself will feel the pressure from a resurgent reigning Champion Jonathan Adam (Total Control Racing), whose four race wins from the last six races have put him right back into contention only three points behind Breeze.
Martin Byford (AB Glass/Z Speed Racing) will be hoping to get back into podium-stepping ways too, having been there seven times this year but only once in the last four rounds. A good weekend at Oulton Park could see him get back into the top three, but he’ll also have to be wary of an ever-improving Andrew Herron (Brian Herron Plant/JHR) who has battled his way into fifth in the Championship and has his sights set on a first race win.
Other improving drivers like Daniel Rowbottom (DRM M-sport) and Freddy Nordström (Plumbertraining.com/Advent Motorsport) may also cause the top three some problems, while Daniel Welch (Marriott/Welch Motorsport) is always a threat and capable of taking points from anyone.
With Oulton Park providing a tough challenge for drivers, the scope for all out action is large – and with the Championship becoming ever closer it’s likely only one driver will be leaving Oulton Park grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Robert Lawson: “Oulton Park is quite a challenging circuit to be fair and it’s not too long a break between meetings which is good. We’ll be getting the car back into the workshop for a proper inspection after the repairs from the first race incident at Snetterton just to make sure it’s perfect. The aim of going to Oulton Park is to win.”
Jonathan Adam: “We were very strong at Outlon Park last year… and the year before. We’ll be looking forward to it.”
Andrew Herron: “Every time I’ve been to Oulton I’ve hit a barrier. I need to convince myself that it’s not going to happen again. I’m going to stay positive and go for a win.”
Carl Breeze: “I’m not sure how I’ll go. I somehow managed to pull a Houdini act at Snetterton, but Lawson and Adam are always quick. I was third in the first race at Oulton last year so I’m feeling confident.”
Martin Byford: “I’ve always liked Outlon. It’s really a drivers’ circuit, but we need to change something with the car if we’re going to do well there.”
Daniel Rowbottom: “I’ve only done one test day at Outlon. It’s a good circuit, but you’ve got to be on the ball. If we can sort out our qualifying there’s no reason we can’t be on the podium.”
Saturday 26th July will be a very hectic day for the SEAT Cupra Championship competitors, with two 20 minute qualifying sessions starting at 09.50 and 14.15, followed by Round 13 at 16.45. Round 14 takes place on Sunday 27th July, with the second 14 lap race around the 2.26 mile Oulton Park Island Circuit starting at 15.40.
