POSITIVE START FOR BEN TAYLOR WITH HOME TROPHY

Ben Taylor enjoyed a positive start to his second season in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE with victory in the Directors Cup of the Snetterton season opener.

Taylor had endured a trying start to his rookie campaign twelve months ago after a dramatic incident at Brands Hatch ended with his car sitting on top of the barriers after rolling out of race three.

Things would prove to be more relaxed in the first race of the new season, with Taylor lining up 18th on the grid and running third in class through the early stages behind Paul Manning and John Castle.

Having got ahead of Castle, Taylor was then able to take advantage when Manning ran wide at the hairpin on the final lap, getting a run into the next left-hander where he was able to sweep ahead.

Crossing the line in 18th overall, Taylor beat Manning to Directors Cup honours by half a second to earn himself a first trophy in the series.

“Paul and John were both running ahead of me and with them also being in the Directors Cup, I just had to stay patient and make sure I took my chances,” he said.

“Getting my first trophy in the series at my home circuit is great, and I want to try and build on it over the remainder of the weekend. I feel there is more pace in the car and I hope this can be the first trophy of many.”