Caterham racer Molsom still very much in title mix after double podium at Brands

Andy Molsom remains very much in the hunt for Caterham Graduates Championship glory after bagging two podiums at Brands Hatch recently.

The Spalding racer, of Molsom & Associates Optometrists, went into rounds nine and ten of the series as the championship leader.

Two finishes of third ensure that he now only has a share of the lead, but Molsom was happy enough with his weekend’s work.

Qualifying went well for the South Holland speedster, with a pair of third place starts secured.

There was a torrential downpour just before race one, which made for a very wet race. Molsom make a good start from third on the grid, maintaining his position, and set about chasing the leaders.

The lead pair were fighting for track position at every corner on a drying circuit, with Molsom sitting and waiting for his chance.

However a red flag due to a car in the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend prevented any progress and Molsom finished the race in third.

Race two was closely fought from the off. An excellent start elevated Molsom up to second spot and he was pushing Toby Briant for the lead.

The speedy Ed Benson soon recovered from a poor start and pushed Molsom down to third.

Benson and Briant had a great battle for the lead, but unfortunately Molsom couldn’t quite stay with the pair. He again finished the race in third, although he was only two seconds behind the leaders.

Those two top three finishes make it nine podiums out of ten races for Molsom this year.

The championship race is getting ever tighter and, with three drivers recording three wins each, it looks as though it will go down to the last race in Spa-Francochamps in Belgium.

Molsom said: “Brands Hatch is a great circuit, with a high work rate, as there are no real straights.

“Paddock Hill Bend is certainly a challenge every lap, especially in the wet.

“It was a good solid weekend and we now go into a break until the next meeting.

“The racing is getting ever closer, with three clear contenders for the championship.

“To be in contention, I have to concentrate on race wins for the final six races of the year.”

Molsom leaves Brands Hatch still at the top of the championship, tying with Briant who is the current champion.

The next meeting is at Oulton Park in Cheshire on August 6.