The UK Legends championship held their last round at Brands Hatch this weekend and Lawrence Davey needed to score 307 points to win the Sunoco GRAND-AM 200 Challenge. With two seconds and a race win already under Daveys belt from Saturdays races, plus the championship win, he just needed to finish fourth or above in the first race on Sunday to seal the deal. As the rain fell on the Kent based circuit Davey crossed the finish line in second to secure the drive at Daytona in the Continental Tires GRAND-AM 200 race that supports the Rolex 24.
27-year-old, Surrey based Davey started the first of Sundays races on the fifth row of the grid due to Legends qualifying being based on a ballot system rather than lap times. Davey had a strong start and was up into third half way through the first lap, he then pushed past the front-runners taking first by the end of the first lap.
Ben Power and Dean Brace, who finished third in the Challenge, closed in and the trio squabbled for first place as the rain fell harder sending many cars off track. Brace pulled away as Davey fell back into second defending from Power in third. The order remained unchanged to the chequered flag and saw Davey take second and 85 points to add to his points haul from Saturdays races and secure the Challenge win.
It was a tough race as the visibility was so bad. I started on the fifth row, which was hard, and I just wanted to get to the front pretty sharpish! I got the lead on the first lap but then just took it steady as I had very little grip - the other cars were always going to catch me as my tyres were giving up. I was happy to let Dean pass me and finish in second to secure the points. Commented Davey.
Lawrence Davey will race in the Continental Tires GRAND-AM 200 race. The race is held on the Friday before the Rolex 24 and as the name implies this is a 200-mile race and driver changes are compulsory.
Im really looking forward to driving at Daytona, although it hasnt really sunk in yet! I can imagine the cars will be a lot different to my Legends car in terms of horsepower and handling, but Im really excited about getting behind the wheel and will be doing everything I can to fully prepare for it and give it my best shot. Ive raced at a few circuits with banking but they are nothing compared to Daytonait looks immense and I cant wait!
Testing details for Davey will be released shortly, meanwhile Sunoco Daytona Challenge winner Ivan Bellarosa is on his way to Virginia International Speedway to commence his testing programme with Action Express Racing
