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The second leg of Miata Trophy’s Grand Prix Grand Slam took place on Saturday 17 May, when Brands Hatch’s extended GP circuit hosted the fifth round of the championship’s 2025 season.
Following an exhilarating race, Aidan Hills claimed victory, courtesy of a storming drive by the current championship leader.
Qualifying
Inaugural Miata Trophy Champion Declan Lee looked sharp out of the blocks in the morning’s qualifying session, as did his Hills Motorsport teammate Roan Lundy.
However, on just his first flying lap, it was Paul O’Neill who lit up the timing screens. The Miller Motorsport driver’s time instantly became the benchmark to beat and remained so until the final five minutes of the session.
It was early pacesetter Lee who first managed to better O’Neill’s lap, before his teammate James Cossins went even faster on two occasions. A sensational time of 1m45.359s ultimately secured Round 5 pole position for Cossins, with Lee having to settle for second.
AB Motorsport’s Oliver Allwood and O’Neill would form the second row of the grid, while: Colin Bysouth, Roan Lundy, Drew Fletcher, Jack Brewer, Kamal Kalsi and Tyler Mcalpin rounded out the top ten fastest qualifiers.
Race
A swift race start from Cossins defended the #24 driver’s position at the front of the field through the opening exchanges, while there was action aplenty behind. Lee was hot on heels of Cossins ahead, while Allwood was having to fend off a number of challenges for third position.
Problems during qualifying had resulted in Aidan Hills starting the race in P14. The #8 driver was clearly keen to make amends, immediately picking his way through the field to finish the first lap P6.
Lee continued to apply pressure to the Cossins in front, but a small mistake allowed Allwood, O’Neill, Bysouth and Hills through. Barely anything separated the ensuing pack across the line each lap, with Kent spectators being treated to a remarkable race and plenty of overtaking throughout the field.
Hills’ charge showed no signs of stopping. Having expertly navigated his way to second, he zeroed in on the car in front. With just a few minutes of the race remaining, the crucial move was made and he had seized the lead from Cossins.
Cossins was now under sudden pressure from the likes of Allwood, O’Neill and Bysouth – all vying for the remaining podium places.
Not far behind, Lee, Brewer, Mcalpin and James Blake-Baldwin were rooted in a tremendous battle inside the top ten to maximise their respective points hauls.
When the checkered flag signalled the end of the race, Aidan Hills hadn’t relinquished the lead to take a highly impressive victory! O’Neill had managed to get the jump on the car in front in the dying stages to finish second, while Cossins fended off all other advances to secure the final step of the podium.
In an incredibly close finish, Allwood finished a mere 0.149s behind Cossins in fourth, with Bysouth only 0.160s further back in fifth. Lee, Brewer, Mcalpin, Blake-Baldwin and Alex Miller completed the top ten finishers.
Just 5.776s separated Hills and tenth-placed Miller over the finish line!
To complete a fantastic day, Hills recorded the fastest lap of the race (1m45.661s) and was awarded Driver of the Day by the MX-5 Owners Club. Congratulations!
Miata Trophy returns for Round 7 & 8 at Donington Park on Saturday 19 July, for the final leg of the championship’s Grand Prix Grand Slam. Entries can be made here.
Photo: Gary Hawkins Photography