RACE REPORT: BRANDS HATCH RACE ONE
For the second time in a week, Matty narrowly missed out on a maiden Porsche Carrera Cup GB podium after a race long battle in the first race at Brands Hatch on Sunday morning.
Locked in a fight with fellow rookie Lorcan Hannifan from the start of the 17 lap contest around the Kent circuit’s Grand Prix loop, Graham looked to have done enough to secure that result after defending a move into the Druids hairpin on the final tour.
Hannifan however found extra space on the run out of the turn to sneak ahead along the Cooper straight and relegate Matty to fourth.
It had been a close fight from the start, with the pair battling into the opening corner and Matty coming out on top to successfully defend his starting position.
Chaos further back in the pack forced an early deployment of the safety car as Lucky Khera was left stranded deep in the Paddock Hill gravel trap after a coming together at the top of the hill.
When the race resumed, Hannifan set about setting the fastest laps of the race at that time to place the Eighty-One Powerdrink backed driver under immense pressure.
But Matty was equal to the task as he successfully defended his position, including when Hannifan managed to get alongside through Druids on lap eight.
Their battle was so close it allowed leaders Josh Webster and Harry King to stretch their lead up the road, but a second safety car once again backed up the pack.
Restarting with four laps to go, Webster and King launched early and ensured Matty’s attention would be focused on defending from the drivers behind.
It was a battle where he was compromised with his car set up for what was expected to be a race with a large stint of green flag running and not at its optimum performance levels after lengthy safety car periods.
Despite his best efforts, the last lap attack from Hannifan proved to be one too many and forced Matty into accepting fourth place.
Despite losing out on third so close to home, it was further valuable points gained and like his team-mate at Donington Park on the opening weekend, a finish that saw Matty drawn for pole position in the day’s second race.