HUFF CHUFFED WITH SECOND
- Robert nets podium finish and Driver of the Day award
Robert Huff claimed a superb second place in only his fourth ever BTCC race
at Brands Hatch today, piloting one of two SEAT Toledo Cupras. The 24 year-old
Cambridge driver started from fifth on the grid, following a close-fought
qualifying session yesterday, and led the 27 lap race at the end of the first
lap before losing out to eventual race winner Matt Neal by just 0.365sec at
the flag.
"I had an absolutely blinding start and got up the inside of James Thompson
and then Matt Neal squeezed Colin Turkington onto the grass a bit so I managed
to get round the outside of him and into second position. Then coming down
Graham Hill Bend I got a good run up the inside of Matt Neal and took the
lead. When the safety car came out it was kind of good for me because I was
panicking thinking 'I'm not supposed to be here' but it gave me a good chance
to think about what I was going to do. I had a good restart and then on the
run up to paddock Matt Neal got up the inside of me. The rest of the race I
just pushed hard to secure second place. I'm really pleased; it's a fantastic
result for all the team who've worked so hard."
In the day's second race, in which he started ninth, a superb start saw him
up into fourth ahead of Anthony Reid, a position he held for 11 of the 24
laps and which earnt him the BTCC Driver of the Day award. His stunning
drive came to nothing though, as a desperate move by the MG driver caused
a collision, dropping the unfortunate Huff down the order as his Toledo suffered
a bent front steering arm although he nursed his car to the finish to claim
11th place.
"I had a good start and made up a couple of places and then a couple of people
in front went wide and I got up to fourth with Reid sat behind me. He was a
little bit quicker than me, but not quick enough to get past. He hit me four
or five times up at Druids and twice down at Graham Hill Bend and then with
about five laps left to go just because the old boy was getting desperate he
decides to launch his car into the side of mine to make it stick. I'd already
turned into the corner and all of a sudden he drives into my front right wheel
and passenger door and takes me out of a good fourth place finish as I was
quite comfortably keeping him behind me."
The final race, held over 24 laps had Rob starting from his previous race
finishing position of 11th and again he got off to a flying start to move
up two positions going into the first corner. He fought his way through the
field and with some amazing moves, was hard on the tail of Yvan Muller by the
10th lap. He narrowed the gap to the Vauxhall driver every lap to cross the
finish line side-by-side in 4th position
"I had another really good start and made up a couple of places coming through
Paddock Hill Bend and another couple coming out - it was all a bit frantic
and before I knew it I was in fourth place. I pushed hard and on the last
three or four laps I caught up with Muller. I tried to get past him but he's
a tough cookie and I finished right behind him in fourth! We've had another
great day today. The team has done an absolutely fantastic job, not only with
me but putting Jason's car back together. At the end of the day without such
a great team we wouldn't be where we are now."
Results from Race 1 – 27 laps
| 1. | Matt Neal | Honda Civic Type-R | 26:43.951 |
| 2. | ROBERT HUFF | SEAT Toledo Cupra | 26:44.316 |
| 3. | Tom Chilton | Honda Civic Type-R | 26:49.877 |
| 4. | James Thompson | Vauxhall Astra Coupe | 26:50.187 |
| 5. | Yvan Muller | Vauxhall Astra Coupe | 26:51.165 |
| 6. | Colin Turkington | MG ZS | 26:54.041 |
Results from Race 2 – 24 laps
| 1. | Luke Hines | Vauxhall Astra Coupe | 20:17.972 |
| 2. | James Thompson | Vauxhall Astra Coupe | 20:18.190 |
| 3. | Yvan Muller | Vauxhall Astra Coupe | 20:20.053 |
| 4. | Anthony Reid | MG ZS | 20:26.184 |
| 5. | Colin Turkington | MG ZS | 20:26.822 |
| 6. | Tom Chilton | Honda Civic Type-R | 20:28.952 |
| 11. | ROBERT HUFF | SEAT Toledo Cupra | 20:46.687 |
Results from Race 3 – 24 laps
| 1. | James Thompson | Vauxhall Astra Coupe | 20:22.683 |
| 2. | Anthony Reid | MG ZS | 20:23.220 |
| 3. | Yvan Muller | Vauxhall Astra Coupe | 20:23.573 |
| 4. | ROBERT HUFF | SEAT Toledo Cupra | 20:23.914 |
| 5. | Colin Turkington | MG ZS | 20:25.876 |
| 6. | Tom Chilton | Honda Civic Type-R | 20:26.646 |
Championship points after 6 rounds
| 1. | James Thompson | 64 |
| 2. | Yvan Muller | 64 |
| 3. | Anthony Reid | 46 |
| 4. | Matt Neal | 35 |
| 5. | Luke Hines | 29 |
| 6. | Jason Plato | 29 |
| 7. | ROBERT HUFF | 28 |
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