Rallying: Cruttenden rounds off inaugural racing season on a high

Photo: Jon Cruttenden Photography

Joe Cruttenden in action (front)

Joe Cruttenden returned his “best race of the season” on Saturday (30 September), as the curtain came down on the hotly contested of the MG Trophy Championship at Snetterton Race Circuit.

After a tough penultimate round at Oulton Park, where the Rochdale driver was came away from with no points, Cruttenden reversed his fortunes to take a class podium on the second race of the day. The result ensured he ended his inaugural season an impressive fourth in Class C and ninth overall in the championship.

Despite being his first trip to the super-fast circuit, he took the qualifying session in his stride and secured fourth spot for both races later that day.

A good start in the opening race of the weekend saw Cruttenden knocking on the door of third spot but a stranded car forced him to take evasive action and the subsequent trip on to the grass meant he ended the tour in sixth. Using the remaining laps wisely, he put in a mature drive to work his way back to fourth over the closing laps.

In the second, and final race of the season, Cruttenden put all his new found skills to good use. A decent start and run through turn one and two saw him battle intensely with third for the opening six laps. With the more powerful MG ZR 170s deep within the pack, Cruttenden held his position and took third spot at the mid-point of the race. A clean drive for the remainder of the race to the flag ensured he took his second podium of the season, rounding the year off perfectly.

Cruttenden said: “There is no better way to finish the season than a podium, but that really felt like the best race of my career.

“It is crazy to think 12 months ago I was sitting on the other side of the car and co-driving some top-flight rally drivers and now I am driving my own race car and doing pretty well at it too. It has been a great season and I have learnt so much in a very short space of time. The pace out there is intense and the racing has been really close all season. I truly can not wait to see what 2018 holds.”

Cruttenden feels his success is down to his close relationship with his family and sponsors.

He added: “I really do have to thank my family for all their moral support this year as well as their trackside back up.

"Also, our brand partners have been fantastic and it has been an honour to be supported by Carplan, Performance Engine Components, SSH Trailers, Guide Bridge MOT & Service Centre, A&D Appliances, Jon Cruttenden Photography and On Tap Heating & Plumbing Services Cumbria Ltd, this season. It has been a great journey together."