Qualifying set the stage for an all-rookie front row for race one as James Hedley took his first pole position of the season with Patrick Kibble finishing the session in second. In the opening race of the weekend however, trouble for the pole-man at Deene on lap one dropped him all the way down the order, with the youngster completing the first tour in ninth position.
Kibble took up the reigns at the front of the field, with Fin Green, Louis Foster and Jonny Wilkinson (who had climbed seven spots on the opening lap) rounding out the top four. Great progress was also made by Lorcan Hanafin who moved up six positions to sixth place, as well as Gus Burton, Ruben Del Sarte and Will Martin all picking up five places.
Drama unfolded on lap two as Luke Browning was forced into the pits with damage, thus creating an opportunity for Adam Smalley to build his championship lead. Kibble held his own up front, leading for six laps as Foster, Green and Smalley battled over best of the rest.
On lap six, Foster made a move stick to take the lead – where he remained to the end – with Kibble settling for second. Smalley and Green raced hard for third, but Green pitted on the final lap, handing the position to Smalley. Fourth overall was enough to put Hanafin on the final spot of the Rookie podium, with Hedley narrowly missing out after recovering to fifth. The rookies behind were on equally fine form as Wilkinson, Tom Emson and James Taylor joined Del Sarte and Johnson in the overall top 10.
