MAX HALL TALLIES TOP-FIVE BRACE AT OULTON PARK

Max Hall continued his impressive run of results in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW at Oulton Park last weekend (June 22-23) as he produced a battling performance to claim a brace of top-five finishes.

Marking the halfway point in the season for the ultra-competitive tin top series, the annual trip to the Cheshire venue proved fruitful for the EXCELR8 Motorsport driver as he cemented second place in the Drivers’ Championship and top spot in the Rookie Cup.

Saturday’s qualifying session around the 2.26-mile circuit saw Hall maintain his record of being the only driver to qualify inside the top-six at every event as he powered his front-wheel-drive machine to second and third on the grid.

Lining up on the outside of the front row for the opening contest, Hall dropped a position as the lights went out however he wasted no time in trying to claw back the spot as he charged onto the back of the top two.

As the race wore on, the Gloucestershire racer received contact from a rival which affected geometry of the car. Despite being shuffled back he managed to hold on to clinch fifth overall and the third step on the podium of the Rookie Cup at the chequered flag.

Race two - which was broadcast LIVE on ITV4 - saw Hall endure another sluggish start however he battled valiantly to try and recover the position, hounding the rear of Nelson King for a majority of the contest.

Despite his best efforts on comprised tyres, the former Junior Saloon Car Championship title winner was unable to find a way past his team-mate and had to settle for fourth at the finish, netting third place in the Rookie Cup for a second successive race too.

Max Hall: “It’s been a solid weekend for us. To come away with two top-five finishes and maintain our positions in both the overall championship and the Rookie Cup is something to be really positive about.

“Qualifying went to plan however I think we perhaps need to have a little look at the starts because there have been a number of occasions this season where I’ve struggled to get the car off the line, and that has arguably cost us a podium.

“I think if we can nail that then more wins and podiums will come over the second half of the season. I feel in a great place and have a great team around me so I’m looking forward to resuming the season at Croft next month!"

The Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW season continues on July 27-28 at Croft Circuit.