Alex Nevill’s 2020 racing season began with an encouraging performance in the EnduroKA 5 hour race at Oulton Park last Saturday.
With the Kent racing driver and his Graves Motorsport team leading the race before penalties set them back.
Joined by his Mini Challenge Cooper Trophy team mate Bradley Gravett and GT racer Michael Lyons, the team qualified an excellent third out of 34 entries courtesy of a fast lap from Lyons.
While Gravett took the start of the race, a strategic call meant Alex got into the car during a safety car period caused by an accident at the start of the race.
Though this meant he joined the race in a low position, by the end of his hour and a half stint Alex was able to climb up to second place before handing over to Lyons. Who went on to lead the race.
From here the team’s effort was derailed by multiple stop and go penalties for exceeding track limits. Which eventually saw the trio finish in 18th position, three laps down. It was a disappointing end to a strong performance, but Alex was able to reflect on the positives from the event.
He said: “It always hurts to lose a race you could’ve won, but we also have to look at the positives. Our pace was very good, and I was really pleased with my pace and consistency in my stint given it was my first time racing a car other than my Mini. Hopefully we can be back in the series at some point to go for the win!”
Up next for Alex is a return to Oulton Park on the 22nd/23rd August for the first round of the Mini Challenge Cooper Trophy. Which will be broadcast live on ITV4.
Images courtesy of Simon Reid – Fokus Media