Can Adam complete his Cupra comeback?

Some intriguing twists of fate in the 2008 SEAT Cupra Championship have now put reigning Champion Jonathan Adam (Total Control Racing) in an extremely strong position to retain his crown at Brands Hatch. The Scottish driver has had an incredible second half of the season to claw back at the commanding lead rookie SEAT driver Robert Lawson (Bardon/JHR) had stretched in the first half. The provisional scores, including the mandatory two dropped scores, now puts Adam 17 points clear of the driver who has lead throughout the season. This means that Lawson, for the first time this year, faces an uphill struggle to get back to the top and win the Championship that for a long time has looked like having his name written all over it.

Anything can happen at Brands Hatch though, and if the results from the first time here this year were replicated this time around then Lawson would clinch the title. While he recorded one race win and a 2nd place, Adam slipped to a 3rd and a 9th which are results that would surely suit Lawson, and with Adam carrying a three slot grid penalty into Round 19, the possibility for drama is sky high. Martin Byford (AB Glass/Z Speed Racing) and Carl Breeze (Blue Chip/Welch Motorsport) are other drivers who could affect the outcome, both battling for 3rd place in the Championship with one eye on Lawson's provisional 2nd place. Add an impressive young Andrew Herron (Brian Herron Plant/JHR) into the mix, who managed two 2nd places at Silverstone at the last meeting and the scene is set for an almighty battle for those last podium spots of the year.

Being the final race weekend of the season means it's the last chance for drivers throughout the grid to finish the season on a high and there are plenty amongst them who feel that a podium finish is deserved. With nothing to lose they'll be looking to cause an upset at the top which could make for an even more enthralling finish. Whatever happens though, the Brands Hatch crowds will see either Adam spectacularly regain his crown or the rookie SEAT driver Lawson, with only three years of racing experience, battle back in equally spectacular fashion to win his first Championship. No matter what the outcome though, the crowds are sure to be treated to some incredibly tight racing from a grid of highly talented drivers.

Robert Lawson: "We'll be going out there to do the best job we possibly can. And we'll be gunning to win it. There's a bit of a dark cloud over us after Silverstone but we'll be alright by Brands."

Jonathan Adam: "It's going to be interesting. It's good for the SEAT Cupra Championship that it's going right down to the last race whatever. We've got that three position grid penalty for the first race so it's not going to be that easy, but there's a few places at Brands Hatch where you can overtake."

Martin Byford: "We had a win at Brands Hatch earlier this season so there's no reason why we can't do that again. Hopefully we'll take the fight to Carl and take third. Actually, a minimum of third as you never know what could happen!"

Andrew Herron: "I want to try and win both races, I was quick enough at Brands Hatch last time before I got taken out. Podiums are in order again, but I'm still missing that number one. I feel I am the best of the rest behind Lawson and Adam now so I'm looking forward to it."

Carl Breeze: "I'm going to Brands Hatch in a relaxed mood. I've got a decent gap ahead of Herron and not many points behind Byford, so the pressures on the top three really. Mathematically I've still got a chance of winning the Championship if something happens with the top drivers, and anything can happen. Either way it's tight with the top two and it's a good battle with me and Byford so it's all to play for, it should be good."

After two 45 minute test sessions on Friday 19th September (starting at 09.50 and 14.00), qualifying for Rounds 19 and 20 of the SEAT Cupra Championship will take place the following day, with two 20 minute sessions starting at 10.45 and 15.10. Rounds 19 & 20 will then take place on Sunday 21st September, the first race starting at 10.50 and the exciting climax to the season being held at 15.45, both of which will cover 22 laps around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.