Reigning champion Steve Dance made the perfect start to the defence of his Pickup Truck Racing title at Brands Hatch last weekend with a double victory in the 2011 season opener.
Despite missing out on pole position to Damien Carr, the new Ford Duratec engine fitted on Dance’s truck paid dividends in race 1 as he drafted past Carr on lap 2 and immediately began building a lead.
That advantage was eventually reduced to nothing by a flying Nic Grindrod, who had battled past both Damien Carr and his brother Simon after an earlier gravelly moment at Paddock Hill Bend, but Dance held off the former champion’s sustained challenge over the final seven laps to secure a narrow 0.205 second win.
Behind, a constant battle raged for the final podium place with Michael Smith eventually netting third ahead of the Carr brothers, Simon edging out Damien for fourth.
Race 2 saw last season’s rookie champion Charlie Weaver starting from pole for the first time, but he lost the lead at the start to Lee Rogers and would drop further back thanks to a drivethrough penalty.
Grindrod eventually found a way past Rogers to lead, while Dance moved up to second after a Safety Car period, called to remove the unfortunate Weaver from a gravel trap after his gear stick broke.
Unfortunately for Grindrod, his truck got stuck in first gear towards the end of the race, handing Dance a second victory of the afternoon and allowing Carl Broadley and Smith to claim podium spots in second and third.
Rogers came home fourth ahead of Damien Carr, whose brother Simon finished well down the order after a spin at Paddock Hill Bend. Grindrod crawled across the line in ninth.
Pickup Truck Racing Championship results – Rounds 1 & 2, Brands Hatch Indy
Round 1
1 Steve Dance, Pickup Truck 2.0, 18 laps 15:59.704
2 Nic Grindrod, Pickup Truck 2.0, +0.205
3 Michael Smith, Pickup Truck 2.0, +4.203
4 Simon Carr, Pickup Truck 2.0, +7.110
5 Damien Carr, Pickup Truck 2.0, +9.819
6 David Longhurst, Pickup Truck 2.0, +20.220
7 Phil White, Pickup Truck 2.0, +20.237
8 Lee Rogers, Pickup Truck 2.0, +20.418
9 Carl Broadley, Pickup Truck 2.0, +21.149
10 Neil Tressler, Pickup Truck 2.0, +22.452
11 Nick White, Pickup Truck 2.0, +30.367
12 David O’Regan, Pickup Truck 2.0, +49.126
13 Charlie Weaver, Pickup Truck 2.0, +2 laps
Round 2
1 Steve Dance, Pickup Truck 2.0, 20 laps 18:38.303
2 Carl Broadley, Pickup Truck 2.0, +4.230
3 Michael Smith, Pickup Truck 2.0, +4.806
4 Lee Rogers, Pickup Truck 2.0, +9.482
5 Damien Carr, Pickup Truck 2.0, +9.572
6 David Longhurst, Pickup Truck 2.0, +10.356
7 Neil Tressler, Pickup Truck 2.0, +17.968
8 David O’Regan, Pickup Truck 2.0, +19.405
9 Nic Grindrod, Pickup Truck 2.0, +1 lap
10 Nick White, Pickup Truck 2.0, +1 lap
11 Simon Carr, Pickup Truck 2.0, +2 laps
Not classified
Phil White, Pickup Truck 2.0, 15 laps
Charlie Weaver, Pickup Truck 2.0, 2 laps
Championship Standings (after 2 rounds)
1 Steve Dance, 428pts
2 Michael Smith, 412
3 Nic Grindrod, 395
4 Dave Longhurst, 382
5 Damien Carr, 368
6 Lee Rogers, 360
7 Simon Carr, 357
8 Carl Boardley, 357
9 Neil Tressler, 355
10 Nick White, 329
Next round: 9-10 April, Pembrey
Andy Wilkinson
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