The winners of the first-ever Praga UK Cup are Jimmy Broadbent and Gordie Mutch, driving for Team87.
The sim racing content creator turn motorsport competitor and pro racing driver racer turned virtual competitor combined this season for a title charge after an initial successful partnership at the tail end of last season’s Britcar championship.
After a wet and windy final weekend at Donington Park that witnessed one qualifying session and two one-hour races, the field of identical Praga R1s was dominated by the duo, taking both victories to take the crown.
On Saturday, the squad took second place on the grid 0.178s behind main rivals Charles Hall and Scott Mittell.
However, on the opening lap, the former junior karting champion took the lead around the outside of Redgate.
“The tyres were cold for the driver in front,” explained Mutch to Traxion.GG, who also recently won a round of the World eX series.
“He didn’t do much weaving on out-lap. I heated up my tyres more than anyone else, so I already had it premeditated that I was going to go around the outside at the first corner.”
It was a lead that was never bettered, with Broadbent holding off Jay Morton to win in the latter stages, taking the title with one race remaining.
That win put the pairing on pole position for Sunday’s race. Broadbent would begin and avoided a five-car fracas on the opening lap to sit in second behind Shane Kelly – the two pulling away from the chasing pack with consummate ease.
After a battle with Ed Bridle, Mutch would benefit from a drivethrough penalty for Kelly to take a second victory of the weekend.
“We were definitely champions last night, it was just working out the countback [scenarios],” explained an elated Broadbent to Traxion.GG.
“After today’s win, now there’s no doubt. A long way clear at the top, so that’ll be nice standings to look at when it’s all done and dusted.”
It makes the first championship for Broadbent in only his second full season of competition.
“I’m a bit of a YouTuber and that’s sort of how I’ve got here,” said Broadbent.
“But it all came from nothing. 2016 was probably the darkest period of my life. Then six years later, we’re here.
“I really appreciate people taking the time out of their weekends to come and support us. It’s been a hell of a season.”
