Martin Doubek claimed victory in the first of the NASCAR Euro Series’ Open class races of the American SpeedFest weekend at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Saturday). Doubek emerged at the head of the order following a tricky race in slippery, damp conditions.
Raphael Lessard streamed into the lead early on after working his way past pole-sitter Thomas Dombrowski in the wet. It was a position he held capably for lap after lap as the race moved towards its halfway point before he ran off the track by himself on a difficult surface.
This dropped the Canadian Lessard down to 10th and handed the lead to Doubek, who’d driven up to second by that point. Doubek never looked like squandering the opportunity he’d been given from there, coasting home to the chequered flag.
Lessard offered a strong reminder of his abilities in the laps that followed though, replicating the pace he’d shown earlier on to work his way up the order and through the field. By the time the race came to a close, he was back up to second.
Gil Linster completed the podium, one place ahead of Dombrowski who achieved a hard earned fourth place after losing ground from the lead earlier on. Sandro Tavartkiladze rounded out the top-five just behind that, also claiming the Masters class win for newcomers and gentlemen drivers.
Behind him was Valentino Gambarotto, the next of the Masters drivers, before Vladimiros Tziortizis. Seventh place went to the popular Italian, Claudio Cappelli, who also took silverware for the leading Legend Trophy driver for competitors aged 45 and over. Jens Beeusaert was ninth, one spot clear of Robin Bleekemolen, the first placed female driver.
NASCAR Euro Series, Open, Brands Hatch, Race 1
- Martin Doubek, Ford Mustang
- Raphael Lessard, Ford Mustang, +1.390s
- Gil Linster, Ford Mustang, +2.213s
- Thomas Dombrowski, Chevrolet Camaro, +2.825s
- Sandro Tavartkiladze, Toyota Camry, +3.469s
- Valentino Gambarotto, Ford Mustang, 25.599s
- Vladimiros Tziortzis, Ford Mustang, +40.177s
- Claudio Cappelli, Ford Mustang, +40.851s
- Jens Beeusaert, Toyota Camry, +42.602s
- Robin Bleekemolen, Toyota Camry, +1m05.300s
Click here to view the full results from this weekend.