Munro and Ridout Victorious at Thruxton

The OT Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires drivers put on a great show at Thruxton last weekend, in both dry and wet conditions, but it was Dan Munro and Mark Ridout who took the honours once again.

Munro took pole position in changeable conditions in Qualifying with a 1:35.845, more than three tenths ahead of nearest rival Ridout. Don Gillies recorded his best grid result to date with third place, lining up next to an on-form Darren Banks. Michael Evans and Dan Fletcher lined up fifth and sixth, with Luca Staccini and Neale Hurren n row four. Simon Smith found great pace in just his second race meeting in the Coupe Cup with ninth place ahead of fellow newbie, Ben Wilkinson.

Munro got a good start and maintained the lead despite pressure from Ridout into the Complex, but the main battle was in the mid pack. A five-wide battle between Staccini, Banks, Gillies, Evans and Fletcher saw Luca gaining four places in one epic move, and he wasn't done yet as he set off after Neale Hurren for third place. The Italian made the move and forced Hurren into a mistake, which opened the door for Evans behind - unfortunately though it wasn't to be; rotten luck continued for Evans as engine trouble ended his weekend early.

Meanwhile back at the front, the battle for the lead was beginning to develop. Mark Ridout had closed in on his Cursley Motorsport team-mate and was shaping up for an attack with just a few minutes remaining in the race. Unfortunately though, the grand stand finish was not to be; Ben Wilkinson made a mistake in the chicane and found the tyre wall, bringing out the red flag. Just panels and pride bruised, Ben leapt over the barrier to safety. The top three then were Munro, Ridout and Staccini - full race one results can be found here!

Damp conditions were waiting for the drivers when Race Two got under way on Sunday afternoon, and there was chaos immediately! A sluggish start from Munro left him in the mid pack, and while Ridout capitalised and stayed out of trouble at the front, Munro had contact with Dan Fletcher into the Complex, leaving the youngster missing his front bumper. Both fought on with damage, but it was far from ideal for either Dan.

The chaos left Darren Banks hunting Neale Hurren for second, with Fletcher in fourth, Staccini in fifth and Gillies, Brunning and Silvester close behind. Munro was down to tenth with his damage, trying to find his feet in the tricky conditions. Banks made light work of Hurren into the chicane at the end of the opening lap, dropping Neale into the clutches of Dan Fletcher behind. Unfortunately for Dan, it didn't last long; the slightest touch of the kerb at Noble left him sideways - he managed to straighten the car up, but lost a lot of ground in the process.

As the track began to dry, Jake Silvester managed to move past Ian Brunning into the chicane with a great move down the inside. Don Gillies was making progress too - after dropping back in Race One, he was determined to get a good result in Race Two; he made the move stick on Neale Hurren and claimed fourth place! The assault on Neale was not over, as Dan Munro dove past Hurren into the chicane to get back into the top five. Ben Wilkinson made a great recovery drive in Race Two to pass Mark Jones for eighth place in his wounded car, in just his second race meeting!

Dan Munro managed to pass Don Gillies in the closing stages of the race to secure fourth place in a great comeback drive, however it was Mark Ridout who came home to take the win at Thruxton, with Darren Banks and Luca Staccini behind him on the road. Unfortunately for Banks, a post-race penalty for an out of position start dropped him down to third. For full Race Two results, click here!

Words from Andrew Holmes

Images from Marc Lawrence