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The 2020 Hyundai Coupe Cup season has been shorter than normal due to the current situation. With racing starting in August, we talk to our sponsored driver, Alex Cursley, as he looks back on the season ahead of the Championship decider at Oulton Park this Saturday (31^st October).

“Back in March, we were hit with lockdown just days before the scheduled first meeting at Silverstone but the long wait to go racing with the Lancaster Insurance coupe finally came to an end in August. Our first round would now be at my home circuit Snetterton. There were strict government guidelines in place for motorsport but it was clear everyone was keen to get back out on track with a record grid of 25 entrants.

Snetterton

In qualifying I decided to work with our new weight limit increase and run low on fuel and do a handful of hot laps. After being given the signal that I’d achieved the fastest lap, I came in to sit out the rest of the session as I was confident that my time was safe as the rain came in.

I was thrilled to start the season on pole for race one with my friendly rival Mark Dicken next to me on the front row. However it was now raining and I would be the first to find out exactly how much grip the track had. At the end of lap one I was caught out by Mark at Coram corner, whilst I was being defensive he had found the grip around the outside of me and bravely took the lead. The rest of the race was a precession as I struggled for grip and was unable to make an impression on the safe gap Mark had managed. I finished in 2^nd, meaning I was starting race two on the front row.

In race two it was raining even harder and I had a little look for the lead on lap one. On lap two an accident behind us at the Esses had left a stricken car on track that required recovery. The safety car was deployed and stayed for the entire race. Another 2^nd place is a great result but a little frustrating not being able to convert my pole into a win.

Mallory Park 

Rounds 3 and 4 were held at the beginning of October and amazingly we had an entirely dry day of racing. Qualifying was close with the top five of 23 all within 4/10ths of a second of each other. On the final lap I posted a time that would put me on the front row in 2^nd with pole sitter and now Championship rival Mark Dicken.

I last achieved a win Mallory Park in 2018 and I knew that the limited overtaking places on this relatively small track meant a good start here was crucial. From the front row on the outside, I got the good start with no wheelspin and with full commitment into the first corner Gerrard’s I took the lead. Now came the defensive drive to ensure I stayed there. This is a highly stressful position to be in, being defensive is generally slower overall per lap which means the other four front runners had all bunched up behind me all looking for a shot at the lead. I just had to make it difficult for them. On lap seven Mark Dicken made a huge lunge up the inside going into the hairpin, and much to my delight went in far too deep and dropped back to fourth place where he stayed till the end of the race. I managed to keep hold of the lead and take my first win in a while!

I started on pole for race two and got a good start. Again I was under pressure from a challenging pack led by Kevin Smiles who although had better exits from Gerrard’s and the Hairpin was unable to pass. I spent most of the race looking at this pack swapping positions behind me. On the final lap Mark Dicken just out dragged last year’s champ Wayne Rockett in the other Cursley Motorsport car to 2^nd place and I took my second win of the day in the Lancaster Insurance car.

Oulton Park

Our final round in this intensified season will be at Oulton Park. The format will be different from normal with the final race being one 30-minute race. With both myself and Mark Dicken have two wins a piece this season, this race will be the championship decider! I have never raced at Oulton but by all accounts it is a great circuit that is narrow and unforgiving, especially in autumn, however I am feeling focused.

This is a fantastic opportunity to show Lancaster Insurance exactly how much I appreciate their support once again especially in these difficult times, I will be going for the win and the series championship. Wish me luck.

PHOTO CREDIT: MOTORV8 MEDIA