Adam Aims for Cupra Title on Home Ground
23 August 2007
The scene is set for what could
be a memorable occasion for Scottish driver Jonathan Adam as the 2007
Blaupunkt SEAT Cupra Championship heads north of the border. The New
Leon Cupra class leader has been impressive this season, winning eight
out of the 16 races so far to help put him 72.5 points (including dropped
scores) ahead of nearest rival, and Total Control Racing stable mate,
Fulvio Mussi. With many of his sponsors and friends coming to support
him at local circuit Knockhill, Adam knows that should he maintain
at least a 63 point gap between himself and Mussi or Carl Breeze (Blue
Chip/CMS Motorsport) after the first race, then he can claim the crown
in front of them. And with Mussi receiving a four place grid penalty
for Round 17 after an incident at Brands Hatch, it’s looking
ever more probable. Only unlikely technical irregularities and resulting
points penalties in the remaining three races could rob Adam after
that.
But just recently the pacey Scot hasn’t had it all his
own way. At Brands Hatch he failed to finish the first race, which
is the only time that’s happened to him this season, while Mussi
slipped past the pole position holder in the second race and power
to his first victory of the year. As is often the case those last vital
points are looking the most tricky to obtain, although Adam’s
familiarity with Knockhill means it would be surprising for him not
to score well there. Likewise, Stewart Whyte (SWR) from up the road
in Auchterarder will feel he may have his best performance yet at his
local circuit. With two fourth place finishes this year the Scottish
driver looks to have really got to grips with his New Leon Cupra in
his debut season in a SEAT. Despite poor luck ending six of his races
early this year, the 28-year old, self-funded, former Ford Saloon Class
B Champion will be expecting better things from Knockhill.
However,
Whyte now can’t finish in the top three which will be the aim
for Breeze, Gareth Nixon (Nixon Motorsport) and Neil Waterworth (TCR).
Not only does a top three finish mean a larger share of the record £250,000
prize fund but they will also be invited to test a SEAT BTCC car. Both
Breeze and Nixon stood on the podium at some point during the last
meeting at Brands Hatch with Waterworth just missing out. Daniel Welch
(Marriott/Welch Motorsport) and Tom Boardman (Special Tuning/Triple
R) meanwhile also finished in podium positions at the last meeting
and despite not being able to finish in the top three will continue
to push for maximum points putting another potential hazard between
Adam and the title.
In the Leon Cupra R class there are still four
potential drivers who could claim the championship; Harry Vaulkhard(Volkis
Boozer’s/Triple R), Ian and Adrian Churchill (Churchill Motorsport)
and Freddy Nordstrom (Advent Motorsport). Vaulkhard currently sits
at the top with Nordstrom 53 points behind him in 4th place, but with
a maximum of 82 points left available Nordstrom still has a mathematical
chance. Ian Churchill is just half a point ahead of his brother Adrian
as they take up 2nd and 3rd spots respectively and despite Ian suggesting
that Vaulkhard is now too far ahead, he knows better than most that
luck can change in a second.
New Leon Cupra racer Ray MacDowall’s
son, Alex MacDowall, will be joining the Leon Cupra R battle at Knockill
for the first time this season, as will Mark Hunt of Pyro Motorsport.
These unknown quantities could yet prove to have a say in which driver
joins the top three in the New Leon Cupras for a test in a SEAT BTCC
car and the keys to a New Leon FR road car.
Knockhill is a technical
circuit with some hair-raising twists and turns where the weather can
also add to the drama. Even if the elements do behave themselves though
the crowds can be certain to see some lightning quick times and some
thunderous applause if Adam can clinch the title here.
SEAT
See series calendar for SEAT
Cupra Championship 2007
Related Story 20.08.2007 - Adam Made to Wait for SEAT Cupra Title
