Ecurie Ecosse Young Driver Initiative member, Adam Mackay, extended his points lead in the SMRC Formula Ford 1600 Championship this weekend (July 18/19) thanks to a podium and Race 2 victory at Knockhill.
With rounds seven and eight of the national series getting underway in challenging wet conditions, the Graham Brunton Racing driver struggled with handling during Sunday's qualifying session. However, he overcame difficulties en route to securing second place on the grid for Race 1 behind Jordan Gronkowski.
The first contest of the weekend got off to a flying start for the young Scot as he led on the opening lap before an incident involving Gronkowski hampered his progress. Indeed, Mackay was forced to take evasive action when the pole-sitter spun at the hairpin, giving Neil MacLennan the opportunity to take the lead of the race.
While he had already built up a 2.2sec headstart Mackay instantly set about catching his fellow Scot by posting the fastest lap of the day, a 54.915sec. And although the teenager soon got within striking distance of the race leader, he was unable to take the win and settled for a solid second place.
“The result was frustrating,” admitted the 18-year-old. “Particularly given that we had good pace and the incident was beyond my control. But these things happen in racing and you just need to pick yourself up from it and move on to the next race.”
Heavy rainfall before the start of Race 2 meant that drivers had to contend with a lot of standing water on the track. In spite of this, Mackay was determined to fight for the victory following his slightly disappointing result in Race 1.
While the tricky conditions made it difficult for the Aberdeenshire youngster to make a move for the lead in the opening laps, he was soon in a position to attack MacLennan and made it past at the hairpin only four laps into the race. A determined Mackay wasted no time in extending his lead, eventually crossing the line 8.8secs ahead of his closest rival.
“That race was much better for me,” said Adam after the race. “I couldn't see anything at all to begin with but once I’d managed to find a rhythm I was able to get my head down and pull away in the lead. It’s definitely a good way to end the weekend after the frustration of Race 1. It’s also been an honour to race with #ForzaJules on the front of my car to remember the tragic loss of Jules Bianchi who was such a talented young driver taken from us far too soon.”
Mackay and the Graham Brunton Racing squad return to action at Knockhill on August 15/16 for the next round of the SMRC Formula Ford 1600 Championship.
