Bray Solidifies Lead in Motorsport Rankings, Nearing Record Win Count
Ali Bray, a standout figure in Mazda MX-5 racing, has significantly strengthened his position at the forefront of the Ryan Motorsport Insurance Autosport National Rankings. His recent achievement of three additional wins at Croft circuit has elevated his total victories in the British Racing & Sports Car Club's Mk1 championship to an impressive 20. This puts him tantalizingly close to the all-time record of 21 wins, a benchmark set by historic single-seater driver Samuel Harrison in 2021, with a final race weekend still to unfold at Silverstone.
Bray's near-perfect season was almost disrupted at Croft when Steve Foden crossed the finish line first in the initial race. However, a penalty imposed on Foden for cutting the chicane during an early-lap battle with Bray ultimately relegated him to second place, preserving Bray's immaculate record. This incident highlights the intense competition within the series, even as Bray maintains a commanding lead.
Beyond Bray's remarkable performance, other drivers are making notable advancements in the rankings. Aidan Hills, another competitor in the MX-5 series, but from the Mk3 model, secured two victories at Cadwell Park in the Miata Trophy. These successes propelled Hills four spots higher, landing him in fourth position overall. This demonstrates the depth of talent and competitive spirit across various MX-5 categories.
Further down the leaderboard, Taylor O’Flanagan, a dominant driver in the Caterham 310R, climbed eight positions to 18th after securing a win at Oulton Park. Monoposto racer Matthew Haughton made a substantial leap, rocketing up 29 places to 20th, thanks to a double victory in his Jedi during the season-ending Tiedeman Trophy series at Cadwell. Additionally, Dan Thackeray, an expert in Racing Hondas, improved his standing by nine places to 23rd with a class win at Brands Hatch. New entries into the top 30 include Classic FF1600 frontrunner Jordan Harrison at 26th, alongside Jack Harding (MX-5 SuperCup), Gilbert Yates (Ferrari Challenge), and Matthew Armstrong (Caterham 7 UK), showcasing a diverse range of disciplines contributing to the national motorsport landscape.
The current standings reflect a dynamic season of national motorsport, with Ali Bray's consistent excellence pushing him towards a historic achievement. His pursuit of the win record underscores a season marked by fierce competition and rising stars across multiple racing categories, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the championship.