Nikki Coates and Bobby Varey celebrated a win apiece as they took charge in today’s Heat races – while their rivals battled for the remaining podium spots.
In Heat One, James Ellison hit the front on the opening lap, but was knocked back to second moments later by 2024 champion Thomas Strudwick. However, Coates wasn’t far behind and had passed both to move into the lead by the end of Lap Two.
Now ahead, Coates managed to stretch a bit of a lead but Strudwick kept him honest for a few laps before he appeared to make a small mistake and lost a bit of time.
Now comfortably ahead, Coates managed to build an unassailable lead to take the win 3.737secs over Kieran Smith, who passed Strudwick on the final lap to take second by 0.020secs. Strudwick finished third, with Ellison fourth and Jack Tynan fifth.
In Heat Two, it was Christian Smith who got the holeshot but behind, Scott Carson made a very quick getaway and hit the front briefly before Smith took it back. Varey, who had started from pole, quickly recovered from a bad start and hit the front on Lap Two.
From there he had a relatively easy race at the front as Smith, Carson and Josh Corner battled for the remainder of the race, swapping positions throughout.
Corner ran in second place for most of it, but after Smith made a mistake on Lap Seven, Carson was determined to steal second and finally got past when Corner ran wide. Carson finished runner up, 3.632s behind Varey with Corner third, Smith fourth and Kenny Macleod fifth.
Heat One:
1. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by Frimley Pitts Racing)
2. Kieran Smith (GP Titan Tech by Bathams) +3.737s
3. Thomas Strudwick (GiBi Racing) +3.757s
4. James Ellison (Team HSO) +6.648s
5. Jack Tynan (ROKiT Rookies) +8.590s
Heat Two:
1. Bobby Varey (Bobby Varey Racing)
2. Scott Carson (Cryosol Racing) +3.632s
3. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin Podcast) +3.738s
4. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep by Bathams) +4.082s
5. Kenny Macleod (True Heroes Racing) +17.684s