Ryan Smith stays top of British Truck Racing Championship standings

Another tremendous weekend for Mansfield driver Ryan Smith at the iconic Silverstone circuit strengthened his position at the top of the British Truck Tacing Championship standings.
HEADING FOR VICTORY -- Mansfield truck-racing driver Ryan Smith at Silverstone. (PHOTO BY: Rupert Matthews)HEADING FOR VICTORY -- Mansfield truck-racing driver Ryan Smith at Silverstone. (PHOTO BY: Rupert Matthews)
HEADING FOR VICTORY -- Mansfield truck-racing driver Ryan Smith at Silverstone. (PHOTO BY: Rupert Matthews)

Smith went into the sixth round of the championship in unstoppable form after 11 victories already this year. And another win, plus a second and two fourths, again meant he was the top scorer, leaving him 17 points clear of his nearest rival, Stuart Oliver, in the first division table.

It was the second year truck racing had returned to Silverstone, after a 26-year absence, and the weekend provided more thrilling action. Smith placed his truck on pole for the first 14-lap race and soon proved why he is the championship leader, setting a fast pace and building a commanding lead. He also clocked the fastest lap and came home first, 4.4 seconds ahead of Oliver.

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Race two was tougher because the grid positions were reversed in the interests of fairness. Smith started in 12th but soon moved up and finished fourth.

A similar challenge followed in the next race when Smith started on row five in tenth place. Again he responded and was only pipped to victory by reigning champion Mat Summerfield before he was involved in fierce wheel-to-wheel action in his last race, just losing out in a three-truck battle for second.

Mechanical issues meant that Smith couldn’t compete in the grand final race, which he won last year. But he is sure to be flying on all cylinders again for the next round at Snetterton, Norfolk on September 11 and 12.

He said: “Silverstone is a wonderful track. It’s what you dream about when you start racing. I gave it my all.”

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