Yates and Beighton Dominate Snetterton Ferrari Action

The second round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK championship delivered a weekend of precision, pace and pressure at Snetterton, where the long straights and technical complexity of the 300 configuration once again proved a true test of driver skill and composure. Under favourable Saturday conditions, the field wasted no time showcasing the capability of the Ferrari 296 Challenge, with qualifying immediately setting the tone for a fiercely competitive weekend.
Gilbert Yates arrived in commanding form and translated that into pole position for Race 1 in the Trofeo Pirelli class, narrowly ahead of Bradley Yates to lock out the front row for Charles Hurst. In Coppa Shell, Christopher Beighton continued his impressive start to the season by securing pole, while Darren Howell lined up alongside him after a tightly contested session.
Race 1 quickly evolved into a showcase of control at the front. Gilbert Yates executed a clean launch and steadily built a decisive gap, effectively removing any doubt about the race outcome early on. Behind him, Bradley Yates and Joseph Dean maintained a disciplined pace to secure their podium positions, while further back, a spirited battle between Mike Dewhirst and Manuela Gostner added tension to the midfield. Gostner’s persistence paid off after forcing an error to reclaim position, but it was Gilbert Yates who ultimately crossed the line unchallenged, finishing a dominant 15 seconds clear.
In Coppa Shell, Beighton mirrored that authority with a composed drive from pole, while the early stages delivered one of the race’s standout moments as Sean Ran surged through the field with an aggressive move to climb into second. However, a costly spin involving Ran and Howell reshuffled the order, promoting Steve Dopson and William Bolster into podium contention. Beighton remained untouchable throughout, securing victory ahead of Dopson and Bolster, with Andrea Seminara making a late move to claim fourth.
Sunday brought improved conditions following overnight rain, setting the stage for another intense day of racing. Qualifying once again saw the Yates pairing dominate Trofeo Pirelli, with Gilbert securing back-to-back pole positions and Bradley maintaining close proximity. Beighton repeated his own qualifying success in Coppa Shell, underlining his consistency with another front-row start in a tightly packed session.
Race 2 in Trofeo Pirelli unfolded in familiar fashion. The Yates duo quickly distanced themselves from the field, controlling the race from the front with measured precision. Dean once again demonstrated strong racecraft to hold position under pressure, fending off Dewhirst to secure a second consecutive podium finish. Gilbert Yates completed a flawless weekend with another victory, while Bradley’s consistency ensured he left Snetterton as the overall championship leader.
Coppa Shell delivered a more dynamic contest behind the leader. Beighton once again established an early advantage, leaving the fight for the remaining podium places to unfold behind him. Ran’s decisive move on Bolster elevated him into second, but the contest intensified as Bolster and Dopson closed in, setting up a three-way battle. Bolster ultimately emerged ahead, while Dopson’s on-track progress was undone by a post-race penalty, promoting Ran into third and marking his first podium finish in the series.
Across both days, Snetterton reinforced its reputation as a circuit that rewards discipline as much as aggression. For Gilbert Yates and Christopher Beighton, it was a weekend defined by control and consistency, each delivering faultless performances that not only secured maximum points but also sent a clear message to the rest of the field as the championship gathers momentum.