Zolder, Belgium - Dutch driver Beitske Visser won the second race of the all-female W Series at Zolder in Belgium on Saturday with Britain's Jamie Chadwick retaining the overall lead after beating compatriot Alice Powell for second place.
South Africa’s Tasmin Pepper meanwhile enjoyed another competitive outing, finishing sixth after a frantic four car dice. This moved her up to seventh on the championship table. Pepper remarked on Twitter that she was very happy with the progress made so far and was keen to see what the next race at the Misano circuit in Italy has in store.
Jamie Chadwick, who was the inaugural winner in Hockenheim two weeks ago, had lined up on pole position for the Zolder race again, but former Red Bull junior driver Visser made the better start and stayed ahead through two safety car periods to win by 8.451 seconds.
Visser moved up to second overall, on 37 points and six behind Chadwick, in the series which uses identical Formula Three cars.
"They tried to make it hard for me but starting from P2 (second place), I had a perfect start," said Visser. "I think we did a perfect job today."
There was drama at the start with Belgian driver Sarah Bovy lining up out of position and with smoke billowing from her stranded car.
Picture: Piroschka Van De Wouw / Reuters.
Finnish driver Emma Kimilanen had already dropped out on medical advice, after a crash in Hockenheim triggered the recurrence of an old injury, and was replaced by Hungarian reserve Vivien Keszthelyi.
The safety car was deployed briefly after the opening lap and Visser then pulled away at the restart ahead of Chadwick and Powell.
Another safety car period came after Britain's Esmee Hawkey tried a move up the inside of Polish driver Gosia Rdest and the two collided.
The race settled down with 15 minutes remaining and Visser continuing to increase the gap to Chadwick, coming under increasing pressure from Powell.
Powell seized second place at turn nine with two minutes remaining, and the two Britons running wheel to wheel, but Chadwick went back in front with a lap to go.
The six-race series is aimed at helping women up the motorsport ladder. The overall winner will collect $500 000 (R7.15m), with prize money down to 18th place.