Consistent Colburn Reaffirms Title Credentials
Despite still searching for his first race win, another strong podium finish for Westbourne Motorsport’s super consistent James Colburn firmly cemented his place in the title fight, due for conclusion at Brands Hatch in two weeks.
Following on from his fifth in Saturday’s race one, Colburn converted his front row start into a third placed finish to leave himself within four points of Championship leader Aron Smith.
Colburn had managed to get a lightning start, going toe to toe with pole man Jack Goff all the way through the banked turn one heading into the first hairpin. With Goff holding the inside line, Colburn was forced to take the wide run through the turn, with James Dixon and Luke Wright sneaking up the inside and demoting Colburn to fourth.
His recovery was mature and well driven, as he pulled a fantastic move then on Luke Wright into the same hairpin to slip up the inside and reclaim third place. He then proceeded to real in James Dixon in second, setting the fastest lap in the process.
As he spoke to BTCC Crazy after the race, he was in understandably buoyant mood as he took us through his race;
“We got a good start off the line, i just out braked Jack a little bit, and i tried to cover but he had the inside and i couldnt get across. We had a bit of sychronised sliding through the hairpin and it put me wide a bit and as James came through he tapped my car and my steering was completely out. Obviously Luke Wright came through at the same time”
“I had to make a bit of a move on Luke into the hairpin, it was a fair move no contact involved. Annoyingly I couldn’t pass James, he defended well just did enough so I couldnt close that gap down enough. But i got the fastest lap in the process as well which is another vital 2 points.”
And in looking ahead to the title showdown, he went on to add;
“We’ve got Brands obviously my local circuit, so i’m looking to be strong there. I think its going to be right down to the wire, last round of the season, last lap for sure. It’s going to be do or die and if i get qualifying right and get pole for both races we’ll be away.”
“You dont want a retirement, i’ve already had one retirement thats jeopardized it already but we go to Brands and we know that we’ve got a car that can definitely win there and we’re going to go in feeling top notch.”
Photo Credit: Richard Devine
Richard Devine
