There was a devastating end to Harry Webb's British Ford F4 Challenge Cup title challenge when the Topcroft racer was cruelly eliminated from the final race after an unfortunate clash with rival Lucca Allen.
'What happened at the start was completely out of my hands and I don't know what else I could have done,' said a despondent Webb. 'I made a good start when the lights went out and was alongside (Jamie) Sharp and he just kept on coming over - I had nowhere to go.'
Webb went into the final round, consisting of three races, at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit tied at the top of the points chart with Mampus Ericsson with a Scholarship worth £15,000 awaiting the winner.
Qualifying saw Webb some nine grid places adrift of Ericsson on the mixed grid for the opening race but a mid race error from his rival saw him spin to the back of the field allowing the local racer to steal a three-point margin in their title battle.
Webb would pass Ericsson on the second lap of race two with Allen separating the pair at the chequered flag giving Webb a nine-point cushion going into the final race.
Ericsson would again start nine places ahead of Webb who would only need to finish in second place to ensure that he was crowned champion.
Webb, who was fourth of the Challenge Cup contenders, made a demon start but was squeezed to the inside of the track by the driver ahead of him which saw the local racer just clip the front of Allen's car with his right rear wheel.
The clash put Allen into the pit wall and a few corners later Webb's title hopes vanished when he spun off and although he did managed to drag the crippled car back to the pits the Richardson Racing team were unable to affect repairs and Webb's hopes of the title had gone.
'Overall I'm happy with that we achieved this year,' reflected a sad Webb. 'Naturally I am disappointed not to have won the inaugural British F4 Challenge Cup, but I have learnt a lot and it will only bring me back stronger.
'Finally a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me this year and thank you to all my sponsors and of course the Richardson Racing team for their hard work during the season.'
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