Roscrea's Nicole takes chequered flag in Brands Hatch Championship

Roscrea racer Nicole Drought crossed the line at Brands Hatch on Saturday to assure herself of her first UK Championship.

Alongside her team mate Justin Roberts, Nicole took her eighth consecutive podium after a late race charge, the EBC Racing Honda Civic shadowing the winners across the line to clinch enough points to assure the Roscrea lady of her first UK Championship.

Justin started the race and kept in touch with the leaders throughout.

At the half way point, he pitted to hand over to Nicole. In the closing stages of the race, Nicole was running in the lead pack in fourth.

Although this would have assured her of the title, she decided she wanted to end the season with a podium finish and sliced by Matt Schwaffer's BMW at Druids Corner with two laps to go.

On the final tour a late braking lunge almost annexed her second place but she decided discretion was the better part of valour and crossed the line a close third place, to the delight of the large Irish contingent who had travelled over to support her.

Nicole flying the Irish tricolour at iconic Brands Hatch and pictured below are Nicole and teammate Justin on the podium

Nicole now ads this to the Open Clubman Irish Rallycross Championship, which she won earlier this year at the wheel of a Renault Clio 172 at Mondello Park.

Stuart Garland, MSVR Championship Manager said: "Nicole has been an inspiration this year.”

“She has performed superbly all season and we are delighted she has won the championship. She is our first ever female race winner, our first ever female double winner, and now our first ever female champion.

“It is exactly what we want to see in our championships and we would love her to come back and defend her title in 2025”, he said.

Speaking after the race Nicole said: "That was fun.”

“It was all about getting a finish today and staying out of trouble, but late on in the race, the car felt great and I really wanted a podium so I started to push.

“It has been a great season, probably my best to date. I have a great team around me and we all worked hard. To win a UK Championship really is a dream come true for me.

“I'm not sure about plans for 2025 but we already have some options, so we will see what happens.

“Big thanks, as ever, to Siltex Safety, Gem Oils, Joe Mallon Motors and ITM Digital for their support," the Roscrea racer said.

Nicole is daughter of fellow racer and well known Roscrea mechanic Owain Drought and is a past pupil of Coláiste Phobal in Roscrea and a recipient of a Roscrea People of the Year Award.

Nicole in action in her red Honda Civic at Brands Hatch approaching the famous Druids Corner