Motorsport: Hayes takes first win in C'ship class

Northern Ireland’s Derek Hayes took his first victory in the British Formula 3 Championship finishing ahead of James Courtney and Andre Lotterer in the first

double header race at Brands Hatch.

Hayes, who had qualified off pole, led from the start after polesitter Takuma Sato had a problem getting away.

In the Scholarship Class, Robbie Kerr continued his excellent form with yet another win. He finished ahead of Mathew Gilmore and with Kerr also setting the

fastest lap, he moves into a five-point lead in the championship.

Michael Keohane, who had to start from the back of the grid due to a technical infringement, finished fifth.

Keohane moved up a few places on the opening lap. The safety car emerged for a few laps and when racing resumed, he made further progress through the pack.

An incident involving a few drivers saw Mark Mayall off into the grass and when he got back on track, he hit Keohane’s car - damaging the side pod.

On the closing laps, Keohane was on the tail of third place Ernani Judice but a puncture cost him time and having passed Robert Doornbos, he had to give way and allow him take fourth.

Championship Class: - positions after Round 8, Race 1:

Takuma Sato 185 points;

Derek Hayes 150 points;

Anthony Davidson 129 points;

James Courtney 128 points.

Scholarship Class - positions after Round 8, Race 1:

Robbie Kerr 192 points;

Matthew Gilmore 187 points;

Michael Keohane 143 points;

Mark Mayall 128 points;

Robert Doornbos 110 points.

Meanwhile, in the first of two Slick 50 Formula Ford Zetec Championship races, U.S. driver, Patrick Long took the chequered flag with Richard Goransson and

Alan Van Der Merwe completing the podium places.

Gary Turkington in seventh was the highest placed Irish driver. Robert Scott was 12th and Adam Carroll 18th.

Tony Rodgers, Emmet O’Brien and James Murphy all retired during the 15-lap race.