Smyth Wins 2025 Walter Hayes Trophy Final
Jason Smyth of Team Dolan started 13th on the grid but won a thrilling Final at the Walter Hayes Trophy held at Silverstone. He began the race with a 10-place grid penalty.
Race Start and Early Moves
Jordan Dempsey from B-M Racing started third behind semi-final winners Andrew Rackstraw of KMR Sport and Niall Murray from Team Dolan. Poleman Rackstraw had a slow start, dropping to third, with Top Nippers in fourth, followed by KMR’s Jacob Tofts and KC Ensor-Smith.
Dempsey challenged Murray on the outside at Brooklands while Smyth advanced to eighth position.
Race Progression
The top two runners battled side-by-side during laps two and three, with Dempsey conceding position at Copse. Smyth moved up to sixth, closing in on the leaders. Rackstraw overtook Dempsey’s inside line at Becketts, then passed Murray at Brooklands, allowing Nippers to take second place temporarily. However, Rackstraw reclaimed second at Luffield, and Dempsey overtook him at Woodcote.
At the start of lap four, Murray maintained a tight position beside Rackstraw through Copse and Maggotts. Smyth passed Nippers on the pit straight and overtook Dempsey at Maggotts. When Rackstraw ran wide at Becketts, Smyth was alongside exiting the corner.
"Team Dolan’s Jason Smyth came from 13th on the grid to win a thrilling final to the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone."
Author’s summary: Jason Smyth overcame a 10-place grid penalty and multiple on-track battles to claim a sensational victory at the 2025 Walter Hayes Trophy final.