Ruby Smith returns to the top-15 on first start at Oulton Park

Ruby Smith scored her third top-15 finish of the season in the Demon Tweeks Audi TT Cup Championship in Oulton Park on her first start at the track, where she banked valuable experience at a challenging circuit.

Photo credits: James Roberts Photography

Ruby Smith scored her third top-15 finish of the season in the Demon Tweeks Audi TT Cup Championship at Oulton Park. At her first start at the track, Smith battled challenging conditions during the one-day event to achieve a best result of 15th. Despite a setback at the start of race two, Smith showed excellent speed as the teenager racer banked valuable experience at a challenging circuit.

Smith made a promising return to the Demon Tweeks Audi TT Cup Championship at the Silverstone season opener. Racing on the Grand Prix circuit, Ruby achieved two top-15 finishes in the ultra-competitive one-make championship. The teenager racer showed improved performance from her rookie season and she was now looking to build upon this at Oulton Park.

Racing at Oulton Park provided an extra challenge for Smith as she did not compete at the circuit in 2024. The tight and technical nature of the International layout makes overtaking difficult, while achieving a fast lap time is equally challenging.

With the full race weekend held over just one day, Smith and her fellow Demon Tweeks Audi TT Cup Championship were out on track early on Saturday morning for the single qualifying session. Smith improved throughout the session and the lap times in the midfield were close. At the end of qualifying, Ruby’s fastest time of a 1:58.389 placed her in 18th overall.

For the opening race of the weekend, spots of rain were falling at Oulton Park which made track conditions challenging. Lining up from 18th on the grid, Smith made an excellent start and gained four positions on lap one to move into 14th.

After holding her position confidently on lap two, Smith ran side-by-side with Ben Taylor on lap three. Smith was able to hold the position and with the race leaders now only matching Smith’s qualifying time, this illustrated the greasy conditions at Oulton Park. Ruby was now running directly behind Joe Weaver as the battles for positions just outside the top-10 intensified.

The close racing in the midfield allowed Sam Meagher to close in and he ran side-by-side with Smith as the drivers began lap six. Meagher was able to pull clear with Smith settling in behind while her margin to the drivers chasing was almost five seconds. A clean end to the race saw Ruby hold her position to score her third top-15 finish of the season as she took the chequered flag in 15th position at Oulton Park.

Grid positions for the second and final race of the weekend were based on the results from race one with Smith starting from 15th position. Conditions were now fully dry, however it was a challenging start for Ruby who fell to the rear of the field at the end of lap one and she was now looking for a safety car in order to catch the midfield runners. Despite this setback, Smith’s pace was strong and on lap two, she was quicker than the next six drivers ahead.

Setting consistent times was now Smith’s priority and she was gaining valuable experience in the early stages of race two. On lap four, she moved into 20th position after Luke Handley entered the pits. Smith then set her fastest lap of the entire event as she chased down the drivers ahead in attempt to gain positions in the closing stages.

Her times were regularly matching those fighting for top-10 positions and as the drivers started the final lap, she ran by side-by-side with Paul Savage. Smith completed the pass on Savage and with Will Stacey retiring from the race, she took the chequered flag in 18th position.

Smith made good progress throughout the weekend as she secured her third top-15 result of the campaign. She raced smartly to bank championship points in both races despite her inexperience at Oulton Park. Ruby will now be looking ahead to the next round of the Demon Tweeks Audi TT Cup Championship which takes place at Snetterton on the weekend of 17th/18th May.