Jason Smyth has become the first driver to win the Formula Ford Festival back-to-back after resisting all comers to lead a wild five-car battle for first place at Brands Hatch.
The 20-year-old Irishman was aggressive in defence throughout as Jordan Dempsey, Anthony Amato, Ben Cochran, Luke Cooper and earlier two-time winner Niall Murray all threatened to wrest first place from Smyth.
For the second half of the race, in a thrilling fight for first, cars sought to pass the fighting Smyth time after time, and he, B-M Racing competitor Dempsey and Ammonite racer Amato were three abreast at Paddock Hill Bend on several occasions. But Smyth’s rearguard was resolute.
He was still in first place at the race’s conclusion, as three cars finished three-abreast for second place, which went to fellow Irishman Dempsey, with Amato completing the podium ahead of Cochran and Cooper.
Murray had challenged his Team Dolan team-mate for the lead in the early running, but Smyth edged Murray onto the grass when the latter had a run up the inside on the climb to Druids. Murray spun wildly and subsequently pitted to retire.
“People only have been ever lucky to [win the Festival] once and but now that I have it twice is just something that you’ll never forget, you’ll always cherish and everybody will always remember that race,” Smyth said.