Close margins across races

Arthur Broughan got his reward for being the quickest driver at the fourth round of the Bridgestone GR86 Championship after taking out the feature race at Highlands Motorsport Park.

His victory in the 12-lap feature last weekend, ahead of Cooper Barnes and Chris White respectively, puts him firmly back in the title hunt.

“I knew the start would be the most important part of the race so I knew I had to take the lead out of turn one,” says Broughan, pictured in front.

“I got that done and the rest of the race was really, really good. I have to say thanks to the boys for a rapid car.”

White, who leads the 2025-26 championship, made the best start but Broughan soon muscled his way past into the lead and built a narrow margin while the rest of the chasing pack fought their own battles as the race unfolded.

Broughan was the fastest man in the early stages and quickly built a narrow margin over White and the rest of the field.

At the end of lap eight, White, Hugo Allan, Justin Allen and Josh Bethune were covered by under half a second in the one-make, one-model championship. 

However, Broughan was the star of the race and stayed out front and out of trouble to take the chequered flag by 3.5 seconds.

The next round of the championship is at Manfeild – Circuit Chris Amon from February 27 to March 1.

Decisive move

Bethune took out the morning race on February 1 at Highlands with a pole-to-flag victory, but championship rookie Lee Zeltwanger was never more than a car length behind for the whole 10 laps.

Barnes completed the podium after keeping a hard-charging Zach Blincoe at bay during the final laps.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Allan won the first race of the round that finished under the safety car after a late crash involving Ajay Giddy and Lucas McGill.

Allan produced a decisive move on Broughan in the opening lap as the pair were neck-and-neck and maintained his advantage, with White finishing third. 

“We got a super even start and I just had to hold it on the inside,” says Allen. “I think my start was slightly better, but Arthur got the advantage of the side draft. 

“It’s not how I really wanted to win my first race of the season, under the safety car, but I’ll take it.”