As the dust settles on a dry Anglesey, we reflect on a brilliant Saturday of racing as drivers tackled the technical Welsh circuit.

Qualifying:

As the dust settles on a sun-soaked Anglesey, we reflect on a brilliant Saturday of racing that saw drivers tackle the technical Welsh circuit.

Qualifying:

Dan Parrans-Smith topped a competitive qualifying session behind the wheel of the #73 Hills Motorsport MK4, taking pole position by just five hundredths of a second ahead of Hills Motorsport teammate William Antrobus, in his #57 MX-5 MK3 contender. Declan Lee #12 rounded out the top three, posting an identical time to James Cossins in fourth. Further down the field, a gap of less than one second separated the first 12 places, highlighting the close competition throughout the grid.

Race 1

The first race of the day for Miata Trophy saw plenty of action, with battles spanning the field. Parrans-Smith converted pole position into a strong start despite early pressure from Lee and then Cossins in the early stages, managing to pull a slight gap as Antrobus joined the front runners after a compromised start from second place.

The fight for third place intensified almost immediately as Jack Brewer and Oliver Allwood joined the pack, only to allow Antrobus back into free air as the pair defended from each other and the fast-approaching Tyler McAlpin.

As the race progressed it was championship leader Cossins who ultimately found the pace taking the fastest lap in the with a 1:18.051 on his way to victory around the coastal circuit following a decisive move into Rocket. Lee finished a comfortable second ahead of Allwood and Antrobus, who fought for the last step on the podium all the way to the line.

Previous Anglesey race winner John Langridge (#5) rounded out the top five, while McAlpin (#10), Max Brown (#36) and Drew Fletcher (#26) all finished in the front pack.

Race 2

When the lights went out for the start of race two, pole sitter David Robinson got away well to hold onto the lead into turn one, ahead of Lee Taylor. It was Will Powell and Allwood who got the better of the start however, launching from the third and fourth row of the grid respectively to second and third on the road by church, as Taylor was left a wide line through the fast right hander.

Knowing he had to move quickly, Allwood used the faster inside line to leapfrog Powell on the back straight and then pass Robinson into Rocket to take the lead. Powell following him through at Peel.

Just behind, race one winner Cossins had climbed the field from twelfth on the grid to fourth in the opening stages, bringing McAlpin and Parrans-Smith along with him through the field, before ultimately taking third at the end.

When the flag came out, it was Allwood who took victory, ahead of Powell and Cossins third. Parrans-Smith managed to jump McAlpin for fourth, and Declan Lee came home in sixth setting the fastest lap of the race with a 1:18.392.

Driver of the Day:

Awarded by the MX-5 Owners Club, Driver of the Day went to Miata Trophy first-timer Ella Homa-Brestelli in the #78 Project 29:7 entry, who produced a stellar performance on her debut. We look forward to seeing how she progresses!

Miata Trophy will be back for Rounds 9 & 10 at Donington Park and there’s time to get your entry in!

Enter today.

Photo: Rikki Palmer / Gary Hawkins Photography