Seb Hopkins, who led the standings after the first three races at the opening Thruxton event in May, remains third but reduced the deficit to the championship leader by scoring his ninth and 10th podium finishes of the campaign – including his fifth second-place finish – plus a fourth place and fastest lap over the weekend.
Will Jenkins, overall fastest in the combined test sessions on Friday and having posted career best front row and “pole” quali slots, claimed second place in Races 1 and 2, both races going down to the final lap in closely fought affairs. However, Will was demoted to 17th in Race 2 with a time penalty due to a jump start. He fought brilliantly to a record sixth on the road in Race 3 but a penalty dropped him to 11th. He nevertheless consolidates fifth in the standings.
Race 2 turned out to be the highlight for Josh Rowledge when he achieved fifth overall and a 12th Rookie class podium with second place. Despite running seventh at mid-distance in Race 1 and starting the penultimate lap of Race 3 fifth overall, luck deserted Josh resulting in 21st and 12th place finishes – contact when third spinning him down the order in the day’s finale. His bad luck drops him two places in the overall title challenge and one place to third in the Rookies.
Joe Warhurst, who qualified on the front row overall at the venue back in May, posted his best season results of the season with two third place finishes in the Rookie category and three top-10 overall placings. These excellent results bolted Joe up from 11th to 6th in the Rookie class championship. Jack Sherwood was another to enjoy Thruxton with three top-10 Rookie placings including equalling his season best P8 finish – all of which helped move him up two places in the standings.
By contrast, Max Hall dropped two places in the Rookie category after suffering a miserable weekend. Max posted his best race result of the season at Thruxton three months ago but on this occasion had just a 14th place class finish in Race 2 to show despite achieving a personal best quali placing of 11th overall and sixth fastest Rookie. An opening lap mechanical issue in Race 1 caused retirement while Max damaged the front of his car as the field lined-up to re-start Race 3 after a Safety Car period. The Silverstone “National” track stages the next three races over 25-26 September.
Eddie Ives, Team Owner & Manager
“It’s been pretty full on for the guys in Juniors and so a break is now welcome for everyone to take stock on the season so far and prepare for the final three events.
“As is always the case, especially in the ultra-close nature of Ginetta Juniors, we suffered highs and lows at Thruxton.
“As a team we were competitive and all six drivers, four of which are Rookies, continue to learn – gaining speed and racecraft.
“I’m very much looking forward to the last nine races and eager to see what can be achieved by our young squad."
