A packed Rockingham crowd waited in anticipation for the start of round 18 which was also being broadcast live on ITV4. For the second time in the weekend, Smith held the Michelin pole-position honours – after lapping in the mid 1m 15s, well inside Alexander Sim’s lap record (1m 16.178s), during Saturday’s qualifying session – with Tincknell alongside him. Oakes and Fortec Motorsport’s Oli Webb (Knutsford) lined up on row two with Calado in fifth.
As the lights went out for the start of the 16-lap race, it was Smith who made the best start to lead into Turn 1 with Oakes moving into second and Tincknell in third. Calado had also been able to get ahead of Webb to move into fourth but the race was soon brought under control of the Safety Car on lap two after title hopeful Stoneman and CRS Racing’s Josh Scott (Milton Keynes) made contact at School Straight.
Racing resumed on lap four with the race distance increased to 18 laps. Not for the first time this season, Smith timed the re-start to perfection to lead once more followed by Oakes and 17-year-old Tincknell.
This time there was nothing to stop Smith pulling away with the 21-year-old quickly establishing a healthy lead. As the race progressed, Smith continued to press while Calado was looking increasingly frustrated at not being able to catch the CRS Racing car of Tincknell. Meanwhile in the midfield, Harry’s team-mate Euan Hankey (Somerset) was running well in sixth until a spin halfway through the race saw him drop down the order. Further down the field, Driver entry Michael Lyons (Essex) – who was awarded the ELF/Atol Driver of the Day –was enjoying one of his best races of the year in 10th position.
Out in front, Smith was in a class of his own building on his lead lap by lap and setting the NGK fastest lap soon after with a time of 1m 16.299s (91.53mph average). Oakes, who was last on the podium in round one at Brands Hatch, was on course for his best result of the season with second place with Tincknell also heading for his first podium since Oulton Park (round seven).
Smith started his 18th and final lap with a cushion of more than five seconds and duly completed his last 1.94-mile lap to take the chequered flag and his sixth win of the season. Oakes came good to secure second with Tincknell – who had looked strong all weekend – in third as well as the leading Graduate Cup driver. Calado finished fourth with team-mate Webb – who endured a disappointing weekend by his high standards – rounding off the top five.
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