Matty Gwill Wins Again After Dempsey and Slugger Errors: GT4s at Spa-Francorchamps

The iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit features on the Matt Malone Patreon League calendar for the first time in the second season of competition. Entering the event on level pegging, Richard Dempsey and Matty Gwill could find themselves in another heated battle. Another packed grid of drivers found their way to the tarmac of the longest circuit on the calendar, where consistency was bound to bring good results.

Qualifying

For the second time this season, Richard Dempsey found his way to the front of the field at Spa, in the return to the GT4 machines - for the first time since the inugural round of the league in May. Matty Gwill was hot on his heels, and it was bound to be another race-long battle for the two championship contenders. Defending champion, Slugger, also found his way to the front, trying to recover a poor start to the season so far.

Race Highlights

With another grid set, the drivers prepared themselves for 20 minutes of racing action. To catch up the overtakes, battles and incidents caught on camera; make sure to watch the Extended Highlights video for Round 4.

Campus saw three drivers spin into the gravel on the opening lap, including The Hearnster - who has become a more consistent force towards the front of the field in this second season of competition. And a lap to forget for championship contender, Richard Dempsey, as he spun around on his first visit through the Bus Stop Chicane from the lead of the race. The man on pole, down and out of the points after the first lap around Spa-Francorchamps.

Lap Two

With Richard Dempsey down the order, Matty Gwill inherited the lead - but the tied championship leader was not going to break away easily this time, unlike his first win at the season opener. Instead, Dubbs1258 was in hot pursuit behind, and put the pressure onto the Gwill as the race continued.

Through Bruxelles and TonyJabroni3824 was bullied off of the racing line by TheSaltyLobster in a battle for 8th place. Taking advantage of the wide Porsche, Kiran Teja Tummuri found his way up the inside in his McLaren, solidifying the position as the headed towards Double Gauche. However, reeling from the contract, TonyJabroni3824 dived his machine back up the inside, ultimately sending himself off the circuit and giving Kiran Teja Tummuri a comfortable lead in P9.

Lap Three

After the large crash last week, we saw another huge crash through Radillon and onto the Kemmel Straight, involving TonyJabroni3824 and Casketman, among others. Somehow through the chaos, Richard Dempsey, on his recovery drive, managed to avoid the large wreck in front of him, moving himself back into 13th place.

Lap Three also saw another tied championship leader - Sean Simms - into the wall as he came together with TheSaltyLobster towards the Bus Stop Chicane. A small late move by TheSaltyLobster caught the two drivers together, with no room for recovery from either of them as they slammed into the outside wall.

Lap Six

After an attempt the previous lap at the end of the Kemmel Straight, Matt Malone made the move past AuburnKyle on the lap six, following a slow down out of Radillon from AuburnKyle. However, Matt Malone also suffered a slow down penalty and had to return the position back within the next few corners.

Lap Seven

The following lap and Matt Malone was once again itching to get past AuburnKyle as they came to the end of the Kemmel Straight. Moving to the right hand side, forcing them to run side-by-side in the McLaren's. With a tighter line, AuburnKyle managed to keep 4th position ahead of a season one championship contender.

Dubbs1258 was able to get the gap to the lead down to just 0.2 seconds on the penultimate lap of the race, forcing Matty Gwill to look in his mirrors as they came towards the end of the lap. Both drivers clipping the gravel through the exit of Campus into Stavelot, and Dubbs1258 at a slight disadvantage eeked the gap open once more.

Lap Eight

Unable to close the lead up again, Matty Gwill beat Dubbs1258 to the checkered flag, making him our first repeat winner of Season Two. For those statistic loving fans out there, Matty Gwill taking a repeat win at Round 4 of Season 2, beats our first repeat winner of Season One. Matt Malone taking the win at Round 1 and Round 5 of the previous season.

Another statistic for you, Richard Dempsey finally finishes outside of the Top 5 for the first time in league history in the races he has competed in - however, he is still the only driver to have finished in the Top 10, with a recovery up to 8th place by the end of the race. Slugger managed to take home 15th place, but Minttu the White Husky must have a badge of honor - starting outside of the points, spinning on the opening lap of the race, and finishing inside the Top 10.

Championship

Matty Gwill takes the lead of the championship with fellow race winners having difficult races at Spa-Francorchamps. Defending Champion Slugger will be wanting better and more consistent results as the season continues.

Up Next

Drivers will be back for their first oval race of the season on Saturday 18th October, at Chicagoland Speedway in the ARCA cars.

To make sure you don't miss out on any of the races, head over to our Twitch page and give us a follow so that you are notified when we go live!