Ashby’s team in rental car joy

4:16pm Friday 5th September 2008

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WORCESTERSHIRE driver Alex Ashby’s team took the highest-placed rental car trophy for the third time this year in the Funcup.

Ashby, of Torton, near Hartlebury, joined Team Wintun colleagues Dan Jones and Nick Pascoe, who was deputising for the holidaying Lance Robson, at Snetterton.

On a dry first day, Ashby was keen to test on his first drive at the Norfolk circuit.

The car set-up was perfect as he settled into some good consistent lap times. But the next morning was a different story with heavy rain and a slippery track.

Ashby put in the best times, thanks to his karting experience, so the team decided it was time for him to take his first start in the Funcup.

They drew 18th on the grid and hoped there wouldn’t be a pile-up going into the Riches corner.

All was well and Ashby finished the first lap in 16th and the second lap in 14th. By the end of the first stint, they were up to ninth and Jones took over.

The rain had stopped, although the track was still wet, but the lap times were coming down.

By the end of Pascoe’s first stint, the track was dry.

On returning, Jones had a fantastic battle with Tim Wheeldon as they swopped places half-a-dozen times.

Team Wintun messed up a driver change and although the trio were still in 10th place, they were a lap behind the leaders in the fifth stint.

Then the safety car came out and, with a great drive from Pascoe, they got back into contention.

Ashby took the last stint and only had one car to pass to win the highest-placed rental car trophy.

Although the rival was 25 seconds ahead with around 10 cars between them, the Worcestershire driver achieved his aim and eventually finished seventh overall.