Harry Hickton Shows Pace And Potential At Snetterton

Harry Hickton underlined his credentials as one to watch in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW this season as the Mannpower Motorsport tallied a brace of top-five finishes at Snetterton over the course of the weekend (24-25 May).

Aiming to bounce back from a challenging season-opener, the 18-year-old demonstrated his talents behind the wheel around the Norfolk venue as he made his mark in the with a number of eye-catching overtakes.

Kicking off the second meeting of the year by setting the fastest time in Friday’s free practice sessions, Hickton would frustratingly be caught out by ever-changing weather conditions in qualifying - with 13th being the best that he could manage.

Undeterred by that misfortune, last year’s MINI CHALLENGE Trophy title winner made amends in the weekend’s opening contest as he got his elbows out and fought his way up to tenth place by the time the chequered flag was waved.

On Sunday, Hickton - who is backed by Maber Construction, Hysons Chartered Accountants, The Platform Lift Company, Vernham Labels, Woodstock Plumbing and Heating Supplies, MDH Roofing & Son, Vertex VT Consultants, GSF Car Parts and DPH Services - upped the ante further.

Starting tenth for race two, the Hampshire racer quickly emerged as one to watch as he carved his way up the order in the one-make series - captivating fans with a brilliant wheel-to-wheel battle with Charlie Hand that last almost an entire lap.

Hickton would ultimately get the better of Hand to clinch fourth place however the appearance of a red flag saw the race results taken back a lap, leaving the talented teenager to be classified in fifth overall and third of the rookie entrants.

Buoyed by that performance, Hickton closed out his weekend at Snetterton with another strong showing as this time he made some big moves on his way to fifth place, having started back in 13th. Along the way he clinched the fastest lap and netted a second successive Rookie Cup podium finish.

Harry Hickton: “That was a really strong weekend! Donington Park wasn’t the best representation of myself and the team so to bounce back in the way we have here at Snetterton is really pleasing.

“The wet to dry conditions in qualifying were challenging and it was always going to be a case of whoever was last over the line would get the best of the conditions. Unfortunately that wasn’t me and it meant we qualified out of position.

“Everyone at Mannpower Motorsport dug deep though and they gave me a brilliant race car for all three races. It felt mega and I had a lot of fun out there - I think its fair to say that I had some proper wheel-to-wheel battles.

“We’ll get our heads down now and see what tweaks we can make to ensure that we can be in the mix for Oulton Park next month!”

The Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW season continues at Oulton Park on June 21-22.