Matt Carter crowned 'King of the Hill' at Knockhill
Matt Carter took a stunnig win at The British Drift Championship Round 4 at Knockhill Circuit, Scotland, extending his lead in the 2011 championship. Team mates Paul Cheshire and Alan Green both qualified in the Top 16 and scored valuable championship points.
A return to the northernmost circuit in the drift calendar saw Team Falken UK in full attendance for Round 4 of the British Drift Championship 2011. Paul Cheshire was feeling confident in his 600bhp G35 Skyline after putting some hours into testing and development since the last round. The time spent paid dividends as he tackled the challenging track for the first time in the new car and secured himself 16th in qualifying, putting him into the Top 16 battles. The draw put him up against top qualifier Prodrift driver Wesley Keating from Ireland. After two close scraps a slight mistake from Paul gave Wesley the win.
Paul commented "It was great to be back at the 'Hill, my favourite track in the calendar! To make the weekend even better the car worked faultlessly all event, it seems I'm finally starting to iron out all the teething problems."
Super Pro Class leader Matt Carter went into Round 4 at Knockhill with everything to lose. A narrow lead on Mark Luney in the SATS Cosworth Supra meant that Matt could not play for a 'safe' result in Scotland. After qualifying in 7th position Matt was pitched against Steve Moore, his opponent at the last round's Finals at Teesside. Matt's speed and angle throughout the course gave him the win over Steve and he made progression into the Final 8 against Wayne Keeber in the Mint Tyres Soarer. Two straight victories against Wayne saw Matt into the Semi Finals against Team Japspeed's Stephen Biagionni in his Subaru Impreza. The crowd were on the edge of their seats as the two battled through two rounds of extremely close drifting. The judges ruled in Matt's favour and he found himself in his fourth Final from four rounds this year! His opponent was championship contender Mark Luney in the 800bhp SATS Supra!
As the two drivers lined up the tension rose, this battle would see the victor take the lead in the championship going into the penultimate round! As they set off Mark used his power advantage to pull a gap on the Falken S14.5, causing Matt to straighten slightly after the hill to gain ground. It was looking like the advantage would be handed to Mark however, an error going into the final bend saw the Supra spin round 360 degrees giving Matt Carter a 10-0 advantage! The second run saw a close battle but Mark Luney made the same error, sending the Supra into a spin gave Matt another 10-0 and the win at Knockhill!
Matt commented "I am over the moon with the result at Knockhill. To be in every final so far this year is awesome! Thank you to all the supporters and all of my sponsors. I can't wait for Silverstone now!"
After Round 4 of the British Drift Championship 2011 Matt Carter leads the Super Pro Class by 14 points, Alan Green sits in 12th position and in the Pro Class Paul Cheshire moves into 16th position. In the Constructors Standings Team Falken UK lead the table by 24 points.
