Newcastle-based touring car driver Harry Vaulkhard is celebrating after giving himself the ultimate birthday present – the Seat Cupra Class R championship title.
The 22-year-old clinched the honours in the final round of the series at Thruxton, Hampshire on his birthday on Sunday (14 Oct) after finishing third in race one and reaching the chequered flag in the second race as a mere formality.
It is the Jesmond driver’s first championship title. As part of the prize he has won a test drive with the Seat British Touring Car Championship team on October 30 and a Seat road car.
“I’m just over the moon and very proud,” Vaulkhard said. “It was either going to be the best birthday of my life or the worst and it’s just great to win my first title, I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet.
“I’m looking forward to the test later this month but the main thing to me is the prestige of winning the title. It would have been nice to have won a race on my birthday but I wrapped-up the championship with a podium finish in the first race. I’ll be doing some celebrating with my friends and family now.”
Vaulkhard started from second on the grid in race one and took the lead at the start. After being caught by rival Ian Churchill and another driver, he did not want to take any unnecessary risks to throw away his title chances and eased off to claim third and seal the honours.
In the second race he started from fifth and just cruised around to make it to the finish – which is all he needed to do – even taking time to wave at his crew in the pits as he came home last.
There could be further reason for the Vaulkhard family to celebrate this weekend when Harry’s father Nigel contests the final round of the HSCC/HRSR Historic Racing Saloons Championship in his classic Ford Mustang at Silverstone on Sunday (21 Oct).
Newcastle businessman Nigel heads into the last round with a two-point advantage in the series.
Harry is currently sponsored by Bedsearcher, Orange Bus IT, Smuggling Duds, Gate 7, Creative Image, CustomCart.co.uk and MobiFi. He is looking for sponsorship for next season with competitive packages available.
