Smyth Charges From 13th to Win Walter Hayes Trophy After Grid Penalty

Overview

• Team Dolan's Jason Smyth overcame a pre-race 10-place grid penalty to storm from 13th and win the 25th Walter Hayes Trophy final at Silverstone.
• Stewards' calls proved decisive as Jordan Dempsey received a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits and on-the-road runner-up Niall Murray was dropped to 15th for similar infringements.
• Andrew Rackstraw, a heat and Semi-Final 1 winner for KMR Sport, was promoted to second in the final with KC Ensor-Smith completing the podium.
• The grand final featured a tightly packed lead group, repeated wheel-to-wheel contact and a dramatic last-lap clash, reflecting a weekend of incident-heavy Formula Ford racing.
• Smyth sealed a notable double after also winning the Formula Ford Festival, having nearly withdrawn from the Hayes final before convincing his team to run despite the penalty.