The 2018 title fight has been a fierce affair between the top two since Jackson asserted his champion dreams with a maiden hat-trick of victories in the third round battles at Spa. It’s been honours shared from there. Former champion Burgess took double glory at Oulton Park whilst 2017 vice champion Jackson held the upper hand with a brace of wins last time out at Snetterton.
While Burgess boasts eight wins to Jackson's six, Jackson holds 13 podiums to Burgess' 12. So, with neither driver able to gain any significant advantage over his stablemate, turn perfect performances across the last six races of the season will be crucial. But who will walk away with the upper hand this weekend?
The leaders can expect stiff competition from the 20 plus grid of SR3s, not least as the battle for the top six rankings rages on.
Kristian Jeffrey moved up to third in the standings at Snetterton, second and third place podiums overhauling a rarely trouble ridden Jerôme de Sadeleer. A seven-time visitor to the rostrum this term, it can’t be long before Jeffrey is counted among the series race winners and, having scored his maiden SR3 podium here last year, Rockingham could prove favourite.
Forced to record a double DNF in Norfolk, outgoing Radical SR1 Champion de Sadeleer will be aiming to close the 77-point gap. With double Rockingham SR1 victory in 2017 and debut Challenge season race spoils already to his credit, the Swiss ace will be a considerable outright threat.
The ever-consistent Elliot Goodman heads Mark Crader for fifth by 24 points, despite Crader sitting out the second round at Brands Hatch. Former LMP3 racer, Jason Rishover returns to the Challenge fold, while Brian Caudwell could also feature highly, having finished in the top three last year.
Other hard chargers are sure to include Richard Baxter, who scored his first Challenge podium amid a stellar weekend at Snetterton. With a second and a pair of fourth-place finishes already to his credit and Rockingham counting among his top tracks, the SR1 graduate is aiming high.
“I’ve been historically strong at Rockingham, I’m devastated it’s closing, it’s such a fun and physical circuit,” says Baxter. “It’s hard to get a decent lap and it can be brutal, so it’s a great challenge for drivers. It’ll be sadly missed on the Radical calendar and I’m aiming to say goodbye with a win!”
With two 40-minute endurance races, with compulsory pit stops, and an extended 30-minute sprint race to look forward to, the Radical Challenge field promises to give Rockingham a fitting and fond farewell.
Radical Challenge qualifying takes place at 09.00 on Saturday 29 September, followed by the first 40-minute race of the weekend at 13.55. Sunday kicks off with race two at 10.35, and wraps-up with the final endurance battle at 14.25.
Follow the blow-by-blow action on the official Radical Sportscars social media channels. Live timing is available via www.tsl-timing.com while race highlights will be uploaded to the Radical Sportscars YouTube channel.