The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Weston Hills race ace Johnathan Hoggard roared to wins in two of the three F4 British Championship races at Knockhill over the weekend.
Hoggard, fresh from his third victory of the season at Rockingham two weeks ago, snared his second career pole at the Scottish circuit.
The Fortec Motorsports star clocked 48.982mins to secure pole for races one and three – and he converted both of those into wins.
Race two didn’t go quite so well, with Hoggard losing the rear of his car under breaking and damaging his suspension – his race over.
But it was still a top weekend for the teenage talent, who is now sixth in the overall standings.
WET AND WILD: Hoggard in first place. Photo by IAN WARD
Speaking after his first win, Hoggard told the official F4 website: “I prefer to have a clear road in front of me so I can do my own thing, and was able to manage the gap to the guys behind.
“The car felt good at the start and I got a gap and then they were able to close in towards the end – probably more than I would have liked.
“I got my head down and extended my advantage back out again before the finish and it’s great to win again.
“It was a long wait from my wins at Donington to Rockingham, but the confidence I got there has carried through to here.”
After his second victory, Hoggard added: “Race two didn’t go to plan with the incident on the opening lap, so it’s nice to bounce back with another win.
“I struggled a bit at the start as didn’t know the lines and what speed to carry into the corners, but I soon got my head down and pulled away.
“I think the championship is beyond us at this stage of the season, but it’s great to come away from the weekend with 50 points on the board and I’ll keep pushing hard through the final two rounds.”
Hoggard’s win in race one (round 23 of the season) was a lights to flag affair, as he produced a flawless drive at the head of the field to wrap up victory – and he added a new lap record to his triumph for good measure.
A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN: Johnathan Hoggard at Knockhill. Photo by IAN WARD
Arden duo Patrik Pasma and Jack Doohan completed the podium.
Hoggard retained pole for round 24, but he was out on lap one when he crashed off at a hairpin and collected Dennis Hauger.
That allowed Ayrton Simmons (JHR) to take the win ahead of Sebastian Priaulx (Arden) and team-mate Pasma.
There was no stopping Hoggard in the finale, however, as he bounced back to take his fifth victory of the campaign (the joint most on the grid).
He started from pole position by virtue of his second quickest time in qualifying and, despite tricky conditions, cashed it in.
Hoggard was able to maintain his position at the front when the lights went out ahead of Arden ace Pasma and wouldn’t be headed despite two safety car periods that backed up the field.
The next race weekend is at Silverstone on September 15 and 16, with the finale at Brands Hatch on September 29 and 30.
