91传媒

鈥�91传媒 racer Nicole Drought saw her run of podium finishes come to an abrupt end in Round 3 of the Trackday Championship at the iconic Donington Park GP circuit, following a high-speed crash during treacherous wet conditions.

鈥淒rought had dominated a soaked qualifying session in her EBC-backed Honda Civic Type R, setting the pace early and holding an impressive 2.7-second gap to the rest of the field. With 10 minutes remaining, she brought her Motion Motorsport-prepared machine into the pits, believing the time could be safe. However, as the track improved slightly in the closing laps, lap times began to tumble. Nicole narrowly missed the opportunity to start one final flying lap 鈥� the chequered flag falling just seconds before she crossed the line, denying her a chance to reclaim pole. She was ultimately pipped by fellow 91传媒-supported Clubracer Motorsport, whose turbocharged Golf GTI took the top spot in the dying seconds.

鈥淒espite the disappointment, Nicole lined up P2 on the grid for the start of a race that was heavily impacted by the weather. The decision was made to start proceedings under the safety car due to standing water and visibility concerns.”

鈥淲hen racing got underway, Nicole held firm in second position, applying constant pressure to the leading Golf GTI throughout the opening laps. Her confidence and car control in the wet were on full display, especially in the corners where she was consistently closing in on the race leader. However, the superior straight-line power of the turbocharged GTI made it difficult to mount a serious overtaking attempt down Donington鈥檚 long straights.

鈥淭hen, disaster struck. On lap seven, as Nicole attacked the infamous Craner Curves, her car suddenly stepped out mid-corner and entered an uncontrollable slide. Despite her best efforts, the car veered off and made heavy contact with the tyre wall, bringing her race to a premature end and triggering a safety car.

鈥淭he incident marks the first time in over 2 seasons Nicole has failed to reach the podium, a hard pill to swallow for the fiercely competitive Irish driver.”

鈥淚鈥檝e never been caught out like that before, so it鈥檚 all very odd,鈥� Nicole said post-race. 鈥淚 felt so comfortable up to that point, so it鈥檚 a shock to the system to be honest. Even though I had the lead car under pressure, I just can鈥檛 quite understand how it all happened, it broke away so fast, I was a passenger at that point鈥� just gutted. It鈥檚 an unnecessary loss of points, and just something we didn鈥檛 need so close to the Oulton Park round, one I鈥檓 looking forward to so much. I鈥檓 incredibly lucky to have the best bunch of people around me who are there no matter what, and that means the world鈥攂ut this one鈥檚 a hard one to take.鈥�

鈥淢otion Motorsport, who prepare Nicole鈥檚 car, will begin immediate repairs with the aim of having the car fully race-ready in time for Round 4 at Oulton Park in a few weeks鈥� time.

鈥淒espite the setback, Nicole remains focused and determined as the championship battle continues 鈥� and with her pace clearly among the best in the field, there鈥檚 no doubt she鈥檒l come back stronger.鈥�