ALFIE GARFORD HOLDS ON FOR DONINGTON PARK HAT-TRICK

Alfie Garford saw off the challenge of Chris Mackenzie to secure a third JCW Sport win from three in the final Power Maxed MINI CHALLENGE race of the weekend at Donington Park.

Garford had been in dominant form in the first two races of the weekend at the wheel of his Wera Alliance Racing Academy-run car, mixing it with the JCW field to end up comfortably clear of the pack behind.

It looked like it could be a similar story when the lights went out as Garford made a strong start to hold the lead going into turn one, and had built a lead of a second by the end of the opening lap.

The action was then halted however following an incident involving two JCW cars, with the action resuming under a shortened period of ten minutes and with a safety car start.

This time around, Garford had Bitcoin Racing’s Mackenzie running closely behind across the eight laps of racing and it was only in the final laps that the youngster was able to edge clear to take a third win from three and extend his early championship lead.

“It was a bit more tricky than the other two races but it’s been a perfect weekend,” he said. “The team did an amazing job and I have to say thanks to Wera Tools, Next Base, Fibre King, Green Group and everyone else who has helped to get me on the grid.

“They have all made it possible for me to be here and this has been a great way to kick off the season.”

Mackenzie would end up just 1.4s behind in second spot as he repeated his results from the earlier two races, with Murray Richardson once again taking third.

Unlike in race two, Richardson was unable to keep pace with Mackenzie ahead, but had time in hand over fellow rookie Eden Spanswick who gained more valuable race experience in fourth.