Lotus Cup Uk - Lotus Festival 2013

Deacon takes emotional win at Lotus Festival as Denman and Bentley shine

Simon Deacon took his Datum-Motorsport prepared 2-Eleven to an emotional victory in the Lotus Cup UK race at this year’s Lotus Festival, held once again on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.

The race took place in front of a crowd of Lotus owners and fans, and after demonstrations of Grand Prix-winning Lotus 49 and 91 cars, courtesy of Classic Team Lotus. Jamie Stanley led the initial laps before a brake problem sidelined his charge. Steve Train and Ken Savage’s 2-Elevens then took turns to lead but two safety car interventions just as the pitlane window opened kept the entire field on their toes.

Savage retained his position at the front of the field but was passed by a charging Ben Hetherington, who looked to have the race in his pocket until he slowed just a few laps later. This left Deacon, a delayed Rob Fenn and Train to challenge for the honours and the former seized his opportunity with minutes to go. Fenn claimed second on the final lap to add to his Open class win, with the Exige class taken by Matt Bartlett and James Knight.

An emotional Deacon said: “This race is dedicated to Anthony (Humphries of Datum Motorsport, who passed away days before the event), it was big shock to us all and the team rallied round, got everything together and this race is dedicated to him and his family, girlfriend and all the supporters that we’ve had.”

The Production class was led by Adam Gore from title leader Andy Napier and Craig Denman but after the pitstops the latter led Stuart Plotnek and Dan Plant and they finished in that order. With a pitstop penalty for Napier the points chase has closed up after Plotnek’s high score.

Denman also took victory in the opening Elise Trophy race after chasing and passing Andrew Bentley. However Bentley took his revenge in the second contest, with Lugi Mazza and Adam Gore in close attendance. Straight after his win, Bentley took second place in the Lotus Cup Europe race in Adrian Lester’s Evora, despite recovering from a broken wrist!