The 2018 Pickup Truck Racing Championship got off to a flying start at Brands Hatch for Lea Wood during the Easter Weekend. 

A 22 car field took to the two Qualifying sessions at the Kent circuit on the Sunday afternoon in the dry conditions, Hereford racer Lea Wood took second fastest lap in both sessions to secure a good starting position for the races the following day.

The Bank Holiday Monday brought heavy rain downpours for the initial races of the season, and starting from the third row (with the reverse grid positions from qualifying) Wood soon surged forward in very wet conditions to fight for the lead of the race, meanwhile posting the fastest lap time.

The new engine and gearbox package provided a very competitive Truck for Wood to take the first win of the season.

Race two was in similar wet conditions, with 30kg success ballast on board for Wood. Running in third position, in the last few laps of the race, contact between two other drivers allowed Lea to take the lead of the race and ultimately the second race win. 

Speaking after the second race, Wood commented: “To have such a successful first weekend of the season is exactly where we want to be coming away from this  race meeting. The new powertrain on the Central Group Racing Truck feels fantastic and we’ve put in alot of preparation coming into this season.

We’re also leading the drivers points standings too, so I’m really looking forward to Croft in a few weeks time to hopefully build on what we’ve done here at Brands,” added the TruckTEC supported driver.

This season is Woods 3rd in BARC Pickup Truck Racing Championship, having finished 3rd in 2017 & 2nd in 2016. The popular racing series heads to Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on April 21st & 22nd.