Breakell Racing took the Radical Challenge Championship title battle down to the last race of the season as Noah Degnbol completed his sensational rookie season with a race victory during the finale weekend at Donington Park earlier this month (17/18 September).
Degnbol headed into the final three races of the season with a 50-point deficit to eventual champion James Lay, however with 168 points still up for grabs, he knew it was all still to play for as he returned to the scene of a double podium finish during the season opener back in April.
The Danish racer kicked off proceedings by qualifying in the top three on the grid for both races on Saturday, before a stunning start to the opener saw him storm from third into the lead at the first corner prior to an early safety car period.
When the action restarted, he built a quick lead of two seconds before the safety car returned to the track. He dropped to second at McLeans on the next restart lap, however a brilliant move down the inside at Redgate on the next lap ultimately secured him a richly deserved third win of the season.
Degnol kicked off race two aiming to pull off a repeat move into the first corner from the opener, however a slight run wide dropped him back to fifth. As he settled into the race, the 18 year old talent produced a brilliant drive to withstand pressure from behind and pick off the cars ahead one by one en-route to second place at the finish.
With those results having reduced his deficit at the top of the standings, Degnbol headed into Sunday right in title contention and only boosted his chances further by scoring pole position for the final race – the sixth time he’d topped the timesheets in qualifying across the season.
While he initially slipped into second position off the line, he fought back to regain the advantage into Melbourne. Running side-by-side with title rival Lay down the Craner Curves on lap two, Degnbol found himself unceremoniously shoved off circuit through the Old Hairpin.
Bouncing violently across the grass, he was able to carry on but it became immediately apparent that the excursion had caused a serious problem with the car. Later diagnosed as chassis damage, he was powerless to prevent himself from slipping down the order and eventually had to pull off circuit into retirement.
James Breakell – Team Principal: “We’re extremely disappointed with how the season ended, as he was forced off circuit intentionally which led to race-ending damage. Despite the indiscretion and its consequences, somehow it was deemed a racing incident and no punishment was dealt.
“Ultimately Noah deserved to have had a fair chance of fighting for the title right down to the final lap of the season, but this end result takes nothing away from a truly special first season in Radical racing for him. He’s come into the championship and been an absolute revelation, and we’re proud of him for all the fantastic results and performances he’s produced. He is destined for a bright future in motorsport.
“I’m delighted for the whole team. It’s been many years since we last raced in this championship, but with our experience of Radical’s over the years in other series, we were able to come back and fight at the front of the grid. Thank you to everyone involved for their hard work to get these results.”