Nilsson scores Scirocco win at Brands, Herbert is top legend

Ola Nilsson boosted his Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup title hopes with victory in Saturday's Brands Hatch event.

The race began in dramatic fashion as Thomas Schöffler spun at Graham Hill Bend and was collected at speed by Maiken Rasmussen. The red flag was dropped due to the accident, which saw the young Dane taken to a hospital for checks.

When the race re-started poleman Jann-Hendrik Ubben held his lead from Nilsson and championship leader Mateusz Lisowski.

The trio fought a close battle at the head of the field before Nilsson finally dived passed at Paddock Hill bend. Ubben would remain in touch but could not force a mistake, the polesitter eventually coming home second with Lisowski third.

"I’m overjoyed. Overall, the season has been going superbly for me," commented Nilsson post-race.

"The fight between the three of us at the front was extremely close, Thanks to the push-to-pass trial which I saved for the end I was fortunately able to take the race home.”

Johnny Herbet was the top legend by some distance, coming home fifth. The three-time grand prix winner was a match for the series regular and beat next best legend Tiff Needell by seven places. Stuntman Mark Higgins was 19th with Mark Blundell 22nd.

Lisowski maintains his championship lead but Nilsson's win cuts the gap to 41 points. Brit Daniel Lloyd is now third after a subdued weekend on home turf in which he could only take eighth at the flag.

Three races remain, two at the Oschersleben circuit (September 17/18) and the season-closing Hockenheim event on October 22.

Watch the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup on Motors TV


James Weeks