Race Rap: Monday, July 21

Jumping to the front. Oliver Solberg, son of former world champion Petter, has put himself on target for a Rally1 factory drive with a stunning run to victory on the Estonia Rally. Once considered a crash-prone liability by Hyundai, his switch to a Toyota GR Yaris paid off massively as he led home Hyundai's Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville on high-speed course very similar to Finland - where he will resume his pursuit of this year's Rally2 world title in a Yaris.

O'Ward on top, McLaughlin not. As Pato O'Ward snatched a win from series leader Alex Palou, there was nothing to celebrate for 26th place Scott McLaughlin. "It can’t be that bad that much longer. Positive vibes for the last four races of the year, four tracks I love, no doubt we can get our mojo back," says McLaughlin.

More of the same. While Marc Marquez was extending his MotoGP wining streak to five races, and another Saturday Sprint, there was nothing special for Aussie Jack Miller. He ran solidly from the start but faded at the end of the race to come home 10th in the Czechia GP on his Pramac Yamaha.

Guest success. TransAm front-runner Nathan Herne completed a successful cameo in a NASCAR junior series at the Watkins Glen road course. Driving a new Camry-bodied racer he qualified second-quickest but was taken out of third place with a mechanical failure.

Home sweet home. The giant Walkinshaw Automotive group is about to move into massive new premises in Melbourne, taking the WAU Supercars team along for the ride. The multi-million dollar facility is claimed to be among the top five manufacturing plants – of any kind – in Australia, with a range of automotive facilities including a design studio, 5-6 production lines and the corporate offices for the Walkinshaw empire.

More for eFuel. Porsche is accelerating its use of renewable racing fuels as it works on developing a truly green product suitable for widespread use in combustion-engined production cars. It's latest eFuel, developed for the next-generation Carrera Cup racer, is 79.7 per cent renewable, including waste-based ethanol, wiht a 10o.5 octan rating.

BTCC future is secure. The British Touring Car Championship is locked and loaded through to the end of 2031 under a new deal by ex-patriate Aussie Alan Gow and Motorsport UK. Under the deal, Gow's TOCA will continue to organise and promote the championship, which is the third oldest motorsport championship in the world, with only Formula 1 and NASCAR boasting longer histories in the sport.

Flat out. A puncture after just eight laps took Shane van Gisbergen out of contention at the Dover oval, although he continued to the end – laps down – for more experience. "Sucks to have a race like this after the momentum we’ve had the past month! Try again next weekend at Indy," said SvG.