Saturday’s round 17 saw Smith line up on the start grid as Michelin pole-sitter with Calado alongside him on the front row. CRS Racing dominated row two with Graduate Cup driver Tincknell and Hankey leaving Stoneman and Webb in fifth and sixth.
As the lights went out it was Smith who took full advantage of his P1 place to lead followed by Calado as the field headed into Turn 1 and onto the tight Deene Hairpin. Scott had also made a good start from seventh on the grid but had judged to have jumped the start by the Clerk of the Course handing him a drive-through penalty.
Meanwhile as Smith braked for the hairpin on lap one, Calado made a move up the inside but the 21-year-old defended his line to hold onto the lead. Webb however saw his race come to an early end after contact in the midfield caused him to spin.
Out in front, Smith, with a clear track in front of him, was already developing a lead in the opening stages of the race and setting the NGK fastest lap, along with a new lap record (1m 15.935s), on lap four. Calado, who later commented he was suffering from a lack of rear grip, was finding it hard to match Smith for pace and allowing Stoneman, who was now running in third, to gain on the 20-year-old.
Smith continued to push his Manor Competition car while behind a great battle was developing between team-mates Tincknell and Hankey for fourth and fifth places. Manor Competition’s David McDonald (Ewell) was also running well in sixth despite starting 11th on the grid as was Oakes.
With no change in the top two, third place Stoneman was beginning to be caught by Tincknell but the Southampton driver – who later commented that his rear tyres were fading – managed to hang on as the laps counted down.
Smith – who was awarded the ELF/Atol driver of the Day – began his final lap with a cushion of more than six seconds over Calado before shortly exiting Brook for the last time to take the chequered flag and more championship points. Calado took second with Stoneman rounding off the podium spots. Tincknell finished fourth and the leading Graduate Cup driver with team-mate Hankey in fifth.
Commenting on his performance Smith said: “It’s been a brilliant weekend for me but credit has to go to the team who have done a fantastic job setting-up the car. In round 17 I got a good start and although James made a move at the Deene Hairpin I managed to defend and hold onto the lead. I had the pace in round 18 too and after the re-start it was just a case of keeping my head down until the chequered flag. Although there are only two rounds left, I’m trying not to think about the championship and instead just concentrate on scoring more points.”
The deciding rounds (19 and 20) of the 2009 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship take place at Kent’s Brands Hatch GP circuit on 3rd/4th October.
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