Stuart Oliver and Ryan Smith shared the victory spoils on Easter Sunday as the third, fourth and fifth races of the British Truck Racing Championship took place on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.
After seven-time champion Smith's double victory on Saturday, the pressure was on his rivals to step up in today's triple-header. And it was 10-time British crown winner Oliver who stepped up initially with an impressive win in the opening race of the day.
The experienced campaigner assumed the lead early on in the opening race of the day, the third of the weekend. But he didn't have it easy with sustained pressure throughout from the chasing pack, including series stalwart David Jenkins, who ultimately finished just a second adrift in second place.
Simon Reid, Bradley Smith and Jock Borthwick finished third, fourth and fifth during that first heavyweight clash of the day, with the big story being that Ryan Smith missed out on being classified in the top-five.
The reigning champion was back on form in the second contest of the afternoon however, fighting his way through to finish on the podium. It was Oliver who doubled up to stand atop the podium however, following a calm performance under pressure.
For much of that race it was Craig Reid who led the way, resisting pressure from those chasing behind to keep his place at the front. Eventually Oliver made his way through however, with Smith and Jenkins joining him in the top-three. Smith duelled with Jenkins during the middle part of the race which cost him time in pursuit of Oliver, and although he was able to narrow the gap down in the final laps, he was forced to settle for second.
Reid eventually crossed the line fourth, behind Jenkins, with Oliver's son Michael completing the top-five.
In the final British Truck Race of the event, Smith controlled the race throughout its shortened 12-minute race time. The race was reduced following an early red flag as Michael Oliver and Tom O'Rourke collided into the Paddock Hill Bend gravel trip, but once it got going Smith produced a masterclass at the front.
Simon Reid and Bradley Smith joined him on the podium, with Stuart Oliver rounding out a good day's work with fourth place. Jenkins completed the top-five to end the weekend with another frontrunning display.
Behind the overall fight, Adam Bint and John Powell shared the spoils in Class 2. Powell enjoyed success in the first race of the day before Bint doubled up in the two later contests.
British Truck Racing Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3, Top-Five
- Stuart Oliver, Volvo VNL, 15 laps
- David Jenkins, MAN TGX, +1.044s
- Simon Reid, Iveco Stralis, +3.025s
- Bradley Smith, MAN TGX, +5.632s
- Jock Borthwick, MAN TGX, +11.940s
British Truck Racing Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 4, Top-Five
- Stuart Oliver, Volvo VNL, 15 laps
- Ryan Smith, Daimler Freightliner, +0.542s
- David Jenkins, MAN TGX, +1.441s
- Craig Reid, Iveco Stralis, +5.228s
- Michael Oliver, MAN TGS, +10.832s
British Truck Racing Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 5, Top-Five
- Ryan Smith, Daimler Freightliner, 13 laps
- Simon Reid, Iveco Stralis, +6.562s
- Bradley Smith, MAN TGX, +11.998s
- Stuart Oliver, Volvo VNL, +12.527s
- David Jenkins, MAN TGX, +13.865s
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