Lotus: Series Hockenheim summary

After successful opening rounds at Brands Hatch and Zandvoort Lotus Cup Europe moved on to Hockenheim for this weekends round 3. Coming just one week after the Lotus Festival at Snetterton there wasn't hope of yet another full grid but 23 cars made it to Germany and put on a great show.

Getting his 2nd pole was Gavin Kirby (95) in his Lotus 2-Eleven but in race one Steve Williams (18) got a early lead and the two pace setters had a battle royal for the full race distance with Kirby taking the lead just one lap out and holding on for a win by wisker. Thierry Verheist was third in his lime green 2-Eleven, his first time back in the seat after a horrific crash at Hockenheim last year.

Race two was an epic affair with Steve Williams again leading in his Duratec powered Elise S1 but the lead changed constantly between Williams, Kirby and Belgium's Michael Damoiseaux. Eventually Damoiseaux took the lead from Williams on the pen-ultimate lap but coming into the very last corner ran wide and span, Williams and Kirby doing well to miss the stranded Belgian and nipping through for Williams to take the win. Under half a second separating the front three cars going into that final turn.

Spare a thought for Scotsman Scott Cruickshank who was driving home his open top 2-Eleven from Hockenheim to Aberdeen.

Lotus Cup Europe moves on to Donington Park in August where it will support Formula 2 before heading for Dijon, Imola, Spa and Le Mans.

Result race 1 -- 1st - Gavin Kirby (2-Eleven) 2nd -- Steve Williams (Elise S1), 3rd -- Thierry Verheist (2-Eleven), class winners -- James Knight (Production) & Martin Roos (Exige Cup)

Results race 2 -- 1st Steve Williams (Elise S1) 2nd -- Gaving Kirby (2-Eleven), 3rd -- Michael Damosiseaux (2-Eleven) class winners -- Paul Quinn (Production) & Denis Van den Savel (Exige Cup)

-credit: lotuscupeurope.com