# Mills wins Walter Hayes Trophy after comeback

> Tom Mills secures Walter Hayes Trophy after dramatic final comeback.
- Title: Mills wins Walter Hayes Trophy after comeback · Autosport
- Summary: Tom Mills secures Walter Hayes Trophy after dramatic final comeback. Tom Mills wins Walter Hayes Trophy after overcoming past setbacks and a safety car…
- Keywords: tom mills, walter hayes trophy, formula ford, silverstone, kmer sport, jason smyth, jordan dempsey, chris middlehurst, amato, formula ford festival, sports, cars
- Source: Autosport — https://autosport.com/national/news/mills-finally-lands-walter-hayes-trophy-glory-after-winning-thrilling-final-on-event-comeback/10870943
- Author: Stephen Lickorish
- Published: 2026-11-02T12:02:34+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tom mills, walter hayes trophy, formula ford, silverstone, kmer sport, jason smyth, jordan dempsey, chris middlehurst, amato, formula ford festival, sports, cars
## Mills leads final after pole position
Tom Mills starts from pole position in Formula Ford final at Silverstone.
## Five past winners queue for victory
Five previous Walter Hayes Trophy winners began the final in the top 12 on the grid.
## Mills' long wait for trophy
Mills had previously been a strong contender for the 2022 trophy before a controversial clash with Max Esterson at Luffield.
## Mills' comeback story
Mills returned to racing after a period of inactivity following his 2023 GB4 title success.
## Safety car incident
Safety car deployed after Stephen O'Connor and Ricky Simpson were stranded in Copse gravel.
## Dempsey and Smith clash
Josh Fisher clattered into the back of Rory Smith at Becketts, launching Fisher over the Medina.
## Mills leads after restart
Mills maintained lead after restart with Anthony Amato challenging for second.
## Mills overtakes Dempsey
Mills dived from long way back down the inside of Dempsey to retake the lead at Brooklands.
## Mills wins by 0.333 seconds
Mills crossed the line 0.333 seconds clear of Dempsey after dramatic final.
## Middlehurst's penalty
Chris Middlehurst incurred 30s penalty for faulty transponder after brake master cylinder change.
## Middlehurst's comeback
Middlehurst won Last Chance and Progression races to finish fifth in final.
## Dempsey and Smyth rivalry
Dempsey and Smyth clashed on final lap after simmering rivalry from previous event.
## Key takeaway

Tom Mills wins Walter Hayes Trophy after overcoming past setbacks and a safety car incident in Formula Ford final.