Ridout Rules at Cadwell Park

30th April 2024

After what seemed like an endless Winter break, the OT Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires swung straight back into action at Cadwell Park. New and old faces arrived in the paddock ready to kick off the season and do battle in the Lincolnshire countryside. It seemed that the favourite heading into the first round of the new season would be Luca Staccini; taking the most race wins in 2023, Luca was announced of the Series Driver of the Year, and was hungry to retain his place at the top. However, it seemed that after winning the last race of the season at Castle Combe, Mark Ridout had found the pace required to take the challenge to his Italian team-mate.

Mark made his intentions clear in Qualifying, with pole position on the tight and technical Cadwell Park circuit; the car seemed to be on rails throughout the session, and he came out on top with a 1:49.232, three and a half tenths clear of his nearest rival. That rival though was not Staccini as expected; Dan Munro, a newbie to the Series, and car racing in general, had pulled out a stunning lap to claim his place on the front row, while Luca languished in third. Paul Lawrie was the best of the rest in fourth, with Michael Evans in fifth and Jake Silvester in sixth in his first ever Qualifying session. Darren Banks and Ian Brunning would share row four, ahead of Kev Middleton, who unfortunately was on his own on row five, as Eddie O'Kane had clutch dramas and would not make the start. Don Gillies also suffered trouble with his Gen3's chassis, so Darren Swift was on his own on row six. Spencer Hirons lined up on his own too, as Matthew Watson's car engine gave up the ghost in Quali.

The red lights came and went, and it was Dan Munro who made a great getaway and into the lead of the race; Ridout had made a slow start and dropped back. Paul Lawrie launched up into second place, while Michael Evans and Darren Banks waited for an opportunity - and they got one! Lawrie defended his second place into Park corner but lost the rear end and went wide, taking Ridout and Staccini with him in the process! All three continued but were down the field.

This left Dan Munro with a great lead, ahead of Darren Banks and Michael Evans in second and third respectively. Ridout and Staccini set about picking their way through the pack - passing Darren Swift, Jake Silvester and Kevin Middleton. Next up on their list was Michael Evans. Ridout closed up on Evans, but a little bit of contact left Evans in the barrier and without a front bumper. The Safety Car was out to recover the bumper, which annihilated Munro's nine-second lead.

When the race got back underway, Dan was ready to take his first Safety Car restart, but no - disaster! His car cut out and his first win went begging, leaving Banks leading from Ridout and Staccini. Mark wanted to carry on the way he'd ended 2023. and managed to get the lead back from Banks heading into Park corner. Staccini tried his best to pass Banks but it was to no avail. Ridout raced to the line to win Race One, and get his season off to the best possible start; Banks finished second for his first podium in the Series, with Staccini just behind him in third place. For full results for Race One, click here!

At the start of Race Two it was Darren Banks who made the dream getaway, surging into the lead at turn one ahead of Ridout and Staccini. Everyone kept it on track throughout the early stages, but Munro was coming through! Scything through the pack, Dan was on a mission, making his way up to fourth place in just one lap! It was now a four way battle for the win, all Cursley Motorsport cars.

There was a tasty battle developing in the mid pack too; Kevin Middleton, Paul Lawrie, Jake Silvester and Darren Swift were all fighting it out for fifth place! Silvester was getting stuck in on his debut, and managed to pass Lawrie for sixth place - Middleton was his next target. Jake was pushing, but Kevin is a notoriously hard driver to overtake, especially at a very tight track like Cadwell! Back at the front, Ridout and Staccini had passed Darren Banks and were having a fight of their own, until Dan Munro set his sights on getting involved! Munro passed Banks and shot off after the leading duo, catching them very quickly; but with just two laps to go, could he make a move stick on Staccini?

Words and images by Andrew Holmes

Jake Silvester had finally made his move stick on Kevin Middleton; the gutsy young racer had launched an attack around the outside of Park corner, and made it stick beautifully. Munro had closed up on Staccini for a last gasp attempt at taking second place; he launched an attack, but contact left both cars with damage. They limped home with Dan in second ahead of Luca, but nobody could challenge Ridout, who made it two from two! For full results, click here!