[Race Recap] DDRL at Brands Hatch: A Weekend of Surprises and Competition
The DDRL returned to action this past Weekend with an intense and eventful race at Brands Hatch, known for its challenging turns and elevation changes. The historic British circuit, nestled in the rolling hills of Kent, served as the perfect backdrop for a thrilling race, testing drivers' precision, car control, and endurance across practice, qualifying, and race day.
brands Hatch early friday morning as Roehlke and Patel arrive for practice
Friday Practice
Ben Roehlke from Strathmont Racing Group and Darren Patel from Lifting Bears Racing were the first to arrive on Friday, eager to get an early feel for the circuit. Both drivers showed impressive consistency during practice, exchanging fast lap times as they dialed in their setups. Roehlke’s focus was on maximizing grip for Brands Hatch’s tight, technical corners, while Patel worked on optimizing his car's performance in the long straights and high-speed sections. As the day progressed, the rest of the grid, including Ryder Thunderbolt from Sneasel Boost Racing and Adam Krukowski from Polish Eagles Racing, joined the action, adding their own competitive energy to the mix. Practice ended with most teams feeling confident but aware of the challenges ahead.
Roehlke on a practice lap at brands Hatch
Saturday Qualifying
Qualifying on Saturday saw Roehlke initially take control, posting a blistering 1:32.265 on only his second lap. His decision to retire to the paddock after five laps, confident in his time, turned out to be premature, as Patel continued to push for pole position. After seven intense laps, Patel managed to edge out Roehlke by 0.505 seconds, securing the top spot on the grid with a time of 1:31.760. Ryder Thunderbolt, a consistent contender, finished third in qualifying with a time of 1:32.595, positioning himself well for Sunday’s race.
Ryder and Tramontana during Qualifying
Race Day - A Battle for Supremacy
Race day dawned with clear skies, and the excitement was palpable. All eyes were on the front of the grid as the drivers lined up for what was expected to be a clean, competitive race. At the start, Roehlke quickly moved into first, but his victory was short-lived. after about 10 minutes of racetime, he lost traction leading to a spin colliding with Ryder Thunderbolt in the process. The incident sent Roehlke to the back of the pack, now in sixth place, while Ryder, recovering from the collision, managed to take a strong position at the front. Roehlke’s frustration was evident, but the Strathmont Racing driver quickly refocused, clawing his way back up the field. By mid-race, he had regained two positions and was sitting in fourth, though the gap to the leaders proved insurmountable.
Meanwhile, at the front of the pack, Patel and Krukowski were locked in a tense battle with Thunderbolt for the lead. Patel, buoyed by his qualifying position, demonstrated impressive pace throughout the race, but the tight nature of the Brands Hatch circuit made overtaking a challenge. Krukowski, too, was in strong form, but he struggled with traction control issues midway through the race, causing him to drop back slightly. Thunderbolt, ever the opportunist, took full advantage of the situation, making a decisive move to claim first place and never looking back. His precise driving and smart strategy paid off, allowing him to maintain his lead and cross the finish line in first.
Patel, despite his best efforts, had to settle for second place, while Krukowski managed to secure third, nursing his car through the final laps after dealing with his mid-race issues. Roehlke’s fourth-place finish, while respectable, was no doubt disappointing for the Strathmont Racing driver, who had hoped for a better result after his strong qualifying performance.
After an impressive third-place finish at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Daniel Tramontana from Grease Monkeys Racing was eager to build on his momentum heading into Brands Hatch. However, this race weekend didn’t go as planned for the seasoned driver. Tramontana qualified in fourth place, positioning himself well for the race, but once the lights went out, things began to unravel. Reports from his team suggest there may have been technical difficulties with his BMW M4 GT3, particularly in its setup. Sources indicate that the technicians may have implemented the wrong configuration, impacting the car’s stability and grip. This mistake likely cost Tramontana precious time on the track, making it difficult for him to maintain his position and perform at his usual level. Despite these challenges, Tramontana fought hard, but ultimately finished the race in 6th place, just behind rookie Steve Danger. The disappointing result was a far cry from his podium finish at Barcelona, leaving Tramontana visibly frustrated after the race. His team will no doubt be reviewing the issues closely as they prepare for the next round.
Brands Hatch also marked the highly anticipated debut of rookie driver Steve Danger, whose performance exceeded expectations despite a tough qualifying session. Danger, racing for the first time in the DDRL, qualified at the back of the grid, posting a time just shy of the rest of the field. However, the rookie’s resilience and determination were on full display during the race. After a steady start, he kept his composure through the opening laps and avoided the chaos that took out more experienced competitors. Throughout the 30-minute race, Danger steadily improved his pace, making crucial overtakes and capitalizing on the misfortunes of others. By the end of the race, he found himself in 5th place, finishing ahead of Daniel Tramontana, a seasoned DDRL driver. For a debut performance, Danger showed promise and determination, proving that he has the potential to be a serious contender in future races. All eyes will be on him as he continues to grow and develop as a driver in the upcoming events.
grease monkey's paddock as they adjust strategy
Absent Drivers
The weekend also saw notable absences from the grid. Lewis Ham-Mil'Ton, who missed the previous race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya due to team morale and mechanical issues, was once again missing in action. This time, Ham-Mil'Ton’s team cited recovery from Ligma as the primary reason for his absence. Meanwhile, CPRacing’s Cullan Putney was unable to make it to the race due to logistical challenges with customs in the UK. Both drivers’ absences were felt, as their presence could have added another layer of complexity to the competition.
Looking Ahead
As the DDRL season progresses, the competition continues to heat up. Ryder Thunderbolt’s victory at Brands Hatch places him in a strong position moving forward, while Patel’s consistency suggests he will remain a major contender in the races to come. Roehlke and Krukowski, despite their setbacks, have proven that they are capable of challenging for podiums, and both drivers will be eager to make up for missed opportunities in future events.
The next race is scheduled for the weekend of Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Hungaroring - Mogyoród, Pest County, Hungary. Fans can expect even more close battles and dramatic moments as the DDRL drivers push themselves and their machines to the limit once again.
With technical difficulties, mid-race drama, and an exciting fight for the lead, the Brands Hatch weekend was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of motorsports and the relentless determination of the DDRL drivers. As the season unfolds, teams will continue to refine their strategies, and fans can look forward to even more excitement on the horizon.
