Arise Lucas Brown- Crowned 2024 R&G British Talent Cup Champion. A Worthy Winner – But the Class Of 2024 Made Him Work Hard From Start To Finish.

By Ed Lewis.

Friday free practice sessions held in sketchy conditions on the grippy Donnington track surface was headed by Filip Surowiak (RS Racing) he sat out the first session as did all the Ryan Saxelby riders, not wanting to take any risk on the cold damp surface. Harley McCabe (Fibre Tec Honda) put on a brave but smooth performance as track temperatures and tensions hit double figures for rest of the event.

Saturday morning qualifying was the usual hectic last lap affair Ryan Frost (Fibre Tec Honda) took the honours for pole position with less than one second covering the top eight qualifiers. Lucas Brown (SENCAT Talent Team Mortimer Racing) took the second spot with Filip Surowiak (RS Racing) showing us he`d nothing to lose, Amanuel Brinton (RS Racing Kovara Projects) took fourth on the grid 0.442 from pole – was the pressure getting to the title contender?

Race one was a spectacular display of real racing. Frost took the hole shot from pole but was made honoury member of the Craner Curves club with a cold front Dunlop tyre destroying the Fibre Tec machine and with that his tittle cup chance. Harley McCabe (Fibre Tec Honda) joined the usual suspects for the next thirteen laps. On the final lap Brown showed his class as he allowed Julian Correa (MicroliseHonda) the inside line at Coppice to take that all important draft down Starkeys straight , perfect planning as the Bolney boy accelerated under the American through the Foggy Esses and sealed victory. Brinton could only manage forth –was that his last chance?

The rapid Fibre Tec Honda of Frosts was immaculately rebuilt from scratch over night, but on pole Sencat rider Brown looked like the cup was in bag. The R&G British Talent Cup gods then decided to throw Brinton a life line. Lap two Brown made his first mistake of this eighteen race championship clipping the inside curb at Coppice sending him to the gravel pit. We were then provided with an elite display of team work from the two Fibre Tec riders as Frost and McCabe produced ten laps that team owner Michael Laverty would have been proud of, Harley McCabe romped victory, his first ever Talent Cup top step setting up emotional scenes on the famous Donnington podium.

Brown was forced to lick his wounds back in pit lane watching BTC rival Brinton who could only manage another fourth place missing yet another golden opportunity.

Race three –the teams had a nail-biting five hours to prepare for the final race of 2024. Amanuel Brinton had to hold his nerve and win this one and hope Browns luck had evaporated as he sat on his Mortimer Racing Honda sixteen places behind the RS Kovara rider fourth on the grid. A leading group of Frost, Surowiak, Brinton, Correa and McCabe formed, over 15 seconds ahead of the rest of the grid. The group lead changed multiple times throughout the race, Ryan Frost emerged victorious, securing his fifth win of the season and most likely his ride for 2025. Race 2 winner McCabe was our runner up, by just 0.470 seconds, with Surowiak a well-earned third step the podium, the top six all within a second showing us the future is bright for British Talent Cup. Behind that front charge Brown executed yet another copybook ride, getting back on script, showing us the class act he has become in 2024 with an eighth position finish which was more than enough to crown him the 2024 R&G British Talent Cup champion.

It’s been said many times by others during this seasons campaign – Lucas Brown has been that special stand out young rider that the R&G British Talent Cup produces. The Short Shift News office all wish him well in whatever direction his future holds.

Harley McCabe is awarded The R&G rider of the event and will charge forward into 2025 with confidence. Other standout riders that should be proud of their own immense seasons – Harrison Mackay, Scott McPhee, Clayton Edmonds, Mason Foster & Jack Burrows, All have an immense future ahead.

Feature Image: R&G British Talent Cup