Harper Dominates EWS Rd2

The second round of the popular Essex Winter Series championship took place this weekend in the south-east of the UK. The event was once again almost at capacity and, as well as all the usual top UK drivers, current EFRA Touring Car Champion Alexander Hagberg joined the race after completing his move to live in the UK. In the Zen Racing Modified class, the battle for top qualifier was between EWS round one winner, Olly Jefferies, and current BRCA champion Elliott Harper. Elliott took his Schumacher to the fastest time in the first qualifying round, with Olly second ahead of Kyle Branson, Andy Moore and Alexander Hagberg. Elliott again set the pace in round two, with Olly again placing his Xray second quickest in front of Kyle, Andy and Alexander once again. Elliott secured the pole position with the fastest time in round three, as Capricorn’s Kyle Branson took second in front of Olly and his Xray team-mate Alexander, with defending EWS champion Stefan Chodzynski rounding out the top five for Capricorn. Elliott made it a clean sweep by taking the fourth qualifier. Alexander was getting to grips with the EWS track and surface to take second in the round, ahead of Olly, Andy and Kyle.

Elliott led the A-final off and quickly began to build a lead. Olly initially looked comfortable in second, as the battle raged between Andy, Alexander and Kyle. However, Olly was slowly caught by the chasing pack and, after a number of changes of position, Andy was into third place and closing in on Olly. Elliott was in cruise control and took a very comfortable lights to flag victory, whilst behind him Olly held his composure to fend off the 2006 IFMAR champion to hold second place and maintain his place at the top of the championship standings. Andy claimed the final step on the podium in front of Kyle and Alexander.

Modified A-final result:
1. Elliott Harper – Schumacher/G Force – 22L 303.89
2. Olly Jefferies – Xray/LRP – 22L 308.37
3. Andy Moore – HB/Hobbywing – 22L 308.61
4. Kyle Branson – Capricorn/LRP – 22L 310.58
5. Alexander Hagberg – Xray/ORCA – 22L 310.77
6. Stefan Chodzynski – Capricorn/G Force – 22L 314.22
7. Jon Bowden – Xray/Hobbywing – 21L 300.14
8. Mark Gilliland – Xray/LRP – 21L 302.60
9. Phil Chambers – Capricorn/LRP – 21L 305.39
10.Paul Pinkney – Schumacher/Hobbywing – 21L 313.02