Stefan Hodgetts kept his hopes of winning the inaugural Trofeo Abarth 500 GB season alive with a dominant double victory at Brands Hatch at the weekend.
The Mardi Gras Motorsport driver took pole position and won both races on the DTM support bill to take a maximum points haul, his third such achievement of the season. He now trails leader Ben Winrow by 36 points, with 44 available from the final event at Monza next month.
“These Abarth 500s are such a lot of fun to drive around this track,” said Hodgetts. “I’d recommend them to anyone as they are such a pleasure to drive.
“The Mardi Gras guys gave me a fantastic car and it’s great to have the opportunity thanks to Buildbase and Fiat Marylebone to be so competitive while having such a good time.”
Winrow limited his losses to Hodgetts with second place for Pyro Motorsport in both races, while Charlie Butler-Henderson (Advent MTS) also remains in the title hunt heading to Italy after a third and a fourth.
“It’s exactly what we needed,” said a satisfied Winrow. “It’s not great finishing second all the time, but given our position in the championship we can afford to not get the win every time.
“It’s all mine to throw away from here. The pace is there, but we’ll use it when we need it.”
Trofeo Abarth 500 GB results – Rounds 11 & 12, Brands Hatch Indy
Round 11
1 Stefan Hodgetts, Mardi Gras Motorsport, 30:03.659
2 Ben Winrow, Pyro Motorsport, 30:04.859
3 Charlie Butler-Henderson, Advent MTS, 30:14.467
4 Josh Wakefield, Advent MTS, 30:26.060
5 Craig Dawson, Driver, 30:39.562
6 Paul Smith, Mardi Gras Motorsport, 30:40.771
7 Simon Baker, Pulce Racing, 30:51.395
8 Sarah Franklin, Reflex Racing, +1 lap
Not classified
Cassey Watson, Lunar Racing
Matt Shead, CMS
Darren Burke, Pulce Racing
Benny Simonsen, Pulce Racing
Round 12
1 Stefan Hodgetts, Mardi Gras Motorsport, 30:51.696
2 Ben Winrow, Pyro Motorsport, 30:56.696
3 Josh Wakefield, Advent MTS, 31:02.992
4 Charlie Butler-Henderson, Advent MTS, 31:05.513
5 Craig Dawson, Driver, 31:20.866
6 Paul Smith, Mardi Gras Motorsport, 31:25.103
7 Darren Burke, Pulce Racing, 31:26.031
8 Simon Baker, Pulce Racing, +1 lap
9 Cassey Watson, Lunar Racing, +1 lap
10 Sarah Franklin, Reflex Racing, +1 lap
Not classified
Matt Shead, CMS
Benny Simonsen, Pulce Racing
Championship Standings (after 12 rounds)
1 Ben Winrow, 208pts
2 Charlie Butler-Henderson, 182
3 Stefan Hidgetts, 172
4 Josh Wakefield, 158
5 Paul Smith, 94
6 Gareth Howell, 90
7 Cassey Watson, 78
8 Benny Simonsen, 70
9 Matt Shead, 63
10 Sarah Franklin, 57
Next round: 24 October, Monza
Watch Trofeo Abarth 500 GB highlights from Brands Hatch on Saturday 18 September at 5:30pm (BST) on Motors TV.
Andy Wilkinson
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