Hanafin positive after strong end to the season

Douglas Motorsport driver Lorcan Hanafin is assessing his options after a strong finish to his first full season in the Ginetta Junior championship.

Hanafin ended the year fourth in the championship standings, having climbed up the ranks with a series of podiums in the final third of the season.

He ended the year on a high with a victory and second place finish at Brands Hatch, in a round he believes could have boosted his title challenge if it came a little earlier.

“I’m really pleased the season ended on such a high,” he told Ginetta Junior Update. “We had a lot of bad luck, lots of DNFs and mechanical problems. But I’m really delighted it ended like this.

“It’s about five rounds too late though. If I’d had the weekend I’d just had six rounds earlier, I would have potentially been fighting for the championship.”

Hanafin’s second win of the season came in fading light on Saturday evening. He managed a series of safety car restarts in the ‘stressful’ race to beat James Taylor to the chequered flag.

“It was crazy. Two safety cars in the space of about five laps.On the first lap, the safety car came out. Then we went green flag racing and the safety car was called straight away.

“It was a bit stressful from that point of view because I kept having to control the pack then get a clean break like I did the first time. But it was really good.”

Race three was a similar affair, with Hanafin leading through multiple safety car restarts until a storming Will Martin passed him at Druids on the final lap. 

“At least I could see in this one!” he said. “Every lap was sort of green flag, go racing, then straight away once we get down to the GP loop safety car came out. It was frustrating in that aspect. 

“I managed to stay in the lead for most of it but Will just managed to pip me going into Druids. I just managed to stay ahead for the safety car duration. 

“It was a shame the race ended like that. I would have liked to have raced to the chequered flag but it’s still a good result.”

The 16-year-old is yet to confirm his plans for 2020.

“I learned a lot this year. I only did half a year last year, so it’s my first full season racing in Ginettas.

“It’s just a mental championship. It definitely provides the best races on the [TOCA package] without a doubt.

“A few things are in the works [for next season] but I can’t really say much at this time.

“It’s always down to budget in motorsport. It’s whether sponsors will get behind me, and we’ll get a plan sorted.”

PR available: Ginetta Junior Update writer Bethonie Waring is available to supply PR and communications services to Ginetta Junior drivers and racers in other selected series. Visit the PR Opportunities tab for more details