Motorsport: Focus Cup 2020 – Part 1
A look back at Round 1 and 2 as Andrew Godfrey is selected to drive the Direnza Sponsored Focus for 2020.
Introduction
The Focus Cup Championship turned out to be a very popular series last year and we are extremely happy to see it’s return in 2020.
A slight rule change this year means drivers will no longer be randomly paired with a car for before every event. Instead, they will use the same car for the duration of the championship.
Former Mini Challenge racer, Andrew Godfrey, is our designated driver for 2020 and we will be following his progress on an event by event basis. Bringing you the results and championship standings as they happen.
Round 1
After what seemed like an eternity, the Focus Cup Championship is back and what a better place to kick things off then at Oulton Park on the last weekend of July.
Each round consists of one qualifying session followed by two races. Results from race 1 will set the grid for race 2. With the top 6 starting in reverse order.
There is a maximum of 100 points available at each event. 30 for qualifying, 30 for race 1 and 30 for race 2. With 5 points also on offer during each race for fastest lap.
Race 1
Andrew got off to an absolute flyer in the Direnza car. Securing pole position and giving himself the best opportunity to clinch victory in Race 1. Which he accomplished with relative ease. After a clean get away, Andrew built up a comfortable 5 second lead as the crossed the line. Taking the fastest lap in the process.
Race 2
As a result of finishing 1st, Andrew lined up 6th on the third row of the grid for race 2. It was another solid start by Andrew as he held position through the first few corners and passed car 40 exiting Cascades.
A late move down the inside of car 52 at Lodge put Andrew into 4th at the end of lap 1. Moments later he made a move on car 23 heading into Old Hall Corner, putting Andrew into 3rd.
By the end of on Lap 2, Andrew was right on the tail of the leaders. A superb exit from Lodge put Andrew right in the slipstream of the car in front heading across the finish line. He moved into 2nd with a smart overtake into the first corner.
Not long after, Andrew made his move for first and made it stick. He managed to build a healthy 6 second lead and crossed the line to win the second race of the day with another fastest lap to boot.
It was a stunning drive from Andrew and he thoroughly deserved to come away with a full house of points. Putting him firmly into the championship lead. Silverstone was next and was sure to offer a completely different set of challenges for the drivers.
You can watch race 1 highlights and full race 2 coverage below:
Round 2
Heading into round 2, Andrew had a healthy 27 point championship lead and he started proceedings in Silverstone much the same way. Taking pole position in qualifying and getting the privilege of leading the grid away in race 1.
Race 1
Despite the wet conditions, Andrew nailed the start and lead the first lap closely followed by car 57. However, on lap two, the second place driver got a fantastic run through the Maggotts and Becketts complex and was gaining quickly down Hangar Straight, passing Andrew before the braking point into Stowe.
The two front runners where very equally matched and on the next lap, Andrew took advantage of slight mistake from the leader and dove up the inside into Village, retaking the lead.
But it was short lived, car 57 regained the advantage, pulling side by side with Andrew down the Wellington Straight before making a move up the inside through Brooklands and holding position to the chequered flag.
Race 2
With a second place in race 1, Andrew lined up 5th for race two. With his closest competitor just behind in 6th. The weather had also taken a turn for the worse making for treacherous conditions.
Andrew also didn’t have the luxury of a clear track to play on. With four cars in front, creating huge plumes of spray, visibility was poor. Despite this, Andrew held position off the line before making a move on the inside of car 40 and moving into 4th within two corners with car 57 following him.
The top two from race 1 then managed to avoid a collision, sweeping around the outside through Maggotts as two cars tangles on the inside. This left Andrew in 3rd while race one winner had jumped ahead into 2nd.
Entering Vale, Andrew and car 57 had caught the race leader and it had become three way battle for 1st. Race 1 winner, made his move stick into Brooklands and was once again leading at Silverstone. Followed through moments later by Andrew in the Direnza focus.
It appeared to be car 57’s race to lose before a mistake at Abbey on lap 4 sent the leader flying into the gravel and ending his race minutes before the chequered flag! Andrew seized on this mistake coming home to win Race 2 with another fastest lap.
It was another very successful round for Andrew, coming away with 91 points and extending his championship lead to 66 points.
See part 2 of the Focus Cup blog where we will be covering round 3 & 4 of the championship. As drivers head to Brands Hatch for a ‘Ford Power Live’ double header!
Image Credit: Sarah Hall Motorsport | @sarahhallmotorsport
https://www.hall-photography.co.uk/
Image Credit: Jasmine Godfrey | @photographybox_photography
https://photographybox.wixsite.com/photographybox
https://www.direnza.co.uk/select-vehicle/ford/focus
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