Brands Hatch 16/17th October 2004

A third British Championship in Four years, this time in the new Ford Durtec Engined Pro Series of the Sports 2000 Championship, was settled at Brands Hatch last weekend.

Ancaster Kart Racing sponsored Nik Johnson in his Van Diemen, race-car, needed to finish the race in the top six and to beat his title rival Nick Bates in a Lola . On Saturday, Nik took pole position in a wet qualifying session, by two hundredths of a second, from Neil Burrows, works driver for the Gunn manufactured car.

The race was held on Sunday, immediately before the Formula Ford final. Nik was under team orders to keep out of trouble if possible, and secure the Championship.

The race was dry and run on slicks; Nik got a clean start and led for the first lap. Burrows charged through and made an overtaking move on the inside at Paddock Hill bend at the start of the second lap. Nik kept wide and avoided contact, keeping the rest of the field behind. The race was then processional as Burrows led unchallenged by Nik who kept Anthony Wilds in his Gunn behind for most of the race. Wilds was overtaken by Flory in his Lola, and with two laps left challenged Nik, setting the fastest race lap in the attempt. Nik upped his game on the last lap to gain on the leader and keep Flory at bay.

A second in the race and the championship by six points was his reward.

This finishes a highly successful season, with the fourth place in the all American Sports 2000 Runnoffs and the inaugural Pro series Championship for the Duratec powered Sports 2000.