Caterham R300 Superlight Championship 2012: Shaw takes championship lead at the Brands Hatch GP Round

Mark Shaw’s two 2nd place results in the Brands Hatch GP round gives him the lead in the in the 2012 Caterham R300 Superlight championship. Fellow DPR team driver Paul Wilson recovered from a race one DNF to claim fastest lap setting a new lap record and gaining 5th place in race two.

Wilson exits race one with a DNF at Paddock but gains 5th place in race two including the fastest lap

Paul Wilson started race one in pole position followed by Ian Payne and his championship rival Mark Shaw in third place. However with the need to build his championship lead the pressure was on. A disaster at Paddock resulted in Wilson’s race ending in the Paddock gravel trap.

Starting at the back in race two, Wilson stormed through the field to claim fastest lap setting a new lap record (1:38.191) on route to 5th place and vital championship points.

Paul Wilson exits race one into the Paddock gravel trap

Shaw takes championship lead with two 2nd place wins

With the mid-race exit of Paul Wilson, Mark Shaw challenged race leader Ian Payne for the lead with both drivers sharing the honours. On the final lap Shaw challenged on the exit from Clearways but fell short by just 0.038 seconds to take second place.

For most of race two the closing fight was between Mark Shaw and Terry Langley for 2nd place with race one winner Ian Payne repeating his lead position with a slightly increased margin. However Shaw succeeded in keeping Langley at bay by just 0.058 seconds securing Shaw’s 2nd place and the all-important championship lead.

With the ability to drop two scores, the championship lead is close between Mark Shaw, Paul Wilson and Ian Payne. However, with Ian Payne having two zeros and Paul Wilson’s single DNF, Mark Shaw leaves Brands Hatch with both the championship lead and a dropped-score advantage

Mark Shaw wins the battle for 2nd place in both races

DPR strengthens the R300 Superlight Team Championship lead

With just three experienced drivers to gain vital championship points for DPR, the race one exit of Paul Wilson required a good result from the third team member Magd Mohaffel who did not disappoint with his 9th place. With Paul Wilson’s drive from the back to gain 5th place and fastest lap in race two, DPR gained the highest team score over both races.

R300 newcomer Stuart Leonard gained a creditable 16th place in his first-ever R300 race and his debut race without a novice cross.

Magd Mohaffel’s 9th in race one secures vital team points for DPR