Philip Wright and Kevin Talbot – now with a clear lead in the Classic A standings – took the overall wins in two more dramatic Racing Hondas rounds at Donington Park.

Wright’s victory in Race 1, held in wet conditions, made him the third different winner in the seasons opening three rounds, but it was hard fought…

Talbot’s Integra DC5 led much of the race from pole position but was eventually caught by Wright’s Civic EP3 and Will Self’s Civic EG which had qualified fastest but started eighth due to a grid place penalty for the driver.

With several laps to go Wright found more grip around the outside of Talbot at Redgate Corner to grab the lead. Self emulated the move a lap later to take the battle to Wright in the closing stages but Wright used his experience to hold on for the win.

Race 2 started with the leading six positions from Race 1 reversed at the front of the grid. From pole, Tommy Knight’s Civic EK led initially before Talbot’s Integra – up from fourth – came surging by.

 

 

Self was also soon through and looked set to challenge Talbot for the lead only for a safety car period to neutralise the race. The restart allowed for two more racing laps with Self, who got very close at times, unable to unseat Talbot who held on for his second win.

Knight put up a similar resistance to keep hold of third from Wright who set the race’s fastest lap time.

As a result, Talbot has taken a clear eight-point lead at the top of the A standings ahead of Self, with Wright close behind in third.

Liam Collins had been tied with Talbot on points arriving at Donington but had a difficult day – his Integra DC2 retired from Race 1 with alternator problems but, from P11 on the grid, at least recovered to finish sixth in Race 2.

Racing rookie Bob Barron again starred with a pair of fourths in his Civic EG which have drawn him equal fourth in the standings with Collins.

Elsewhere, newcomer Nicholas Allitt acquitted himself well on his racing debut as he honed his REViT Motorsport Civic EP3’s settings during the day. Dave Buky’s new Civic EK also made its debut but its progress was stymied by collision damage in Race 1.

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