Steve Quick has won the inaugural Lotus Cup UK championship after a dramatic final round at Brands Hatch yesterday (22 October). The Norwich-based driver entered the race with a twelve point deficit to leader Ken Savage but just twenty minutes into the deciding round, the latter’s car started to smoke badly. Staying out until the pit window opened, when he returned to the garage there was nothing that his mechanics could do, leaving Quick just needing to finish the race, which he duly did.
Mark Fullalove claimed the overall win, beating Steve Williams by ten seconds, repeating his victory on the GP circuit back in July. Pete Storey made it a 2-Eleven podium, after holding off Exige Cup winner Jamie Stanley for several laps. Alternator failure put paid to early challengers David and Rob Fenn, leaving the other father and son pairing, Doug and Chris Setters, as Open Class victors. Production honours were claimed by Stuart Plotnek, whilst Quick finished fifth in class.
Savage’s later win in the final Elise Trophy race of the year went some way to making up for his heartbreak but not before Stuart Rowland had added a second victory of the year with an assured drive. Newcomers Martin Wills, Warren Scott and Andrew Wright made a big impression on their debuts, although first-night nerves saw a few spins, including a botched move on second place from the former, which spoiled a great drive from Phil Stratton-Lake. Two appearances on the podium for second completed a great day for Quick.
Lotus Cup UK 2011 Class Champions
2-Eleven: Steve Williams
Exige Cup: Glenn Sherwood
Evora: Greg Rasse
Lotus Open: Vitthal Chauhan
Production: Steve Quick
