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2019 Ginetta Junior ChampionshipSilverstone 2019

O’Sullivan aiming for F4 2020 drive

by Bethonie Waring
written by Bethonie Waring

Championship contender Zak O’Sullivan is aiming to move to the British Formula 4 championship in 2020.

The R Racing driver is currently second in the Ginetta Junior championship and heads to Brands Hatch with an outside chance at taking the title.

O’Sullivan told Ginetta Junior Update he is exploring his options in the British F4 paddock, which runs on the same British Touring Car Championship support package as the Ginetta Junior series.

“I’ve started doing a bit of testing,” he said. “I’ll probably be doing F4 [next year], but I don’t know which team yet.

“I’m hoping I can be back on the TOCA package for next year.”

Many drivers have taken the step from Ginetta Juniors to British Formula 4, including 2019 race winner Luke Browning and championship contender Louis Foster.

Past F4 champions Lando Norris and Jamie Caroline also began their car racing career in Ginettas.

O’Sullivan, who sealed the rookie title at Silverstone, picked up 62 points in the penultimate round of the season and narrowly closed the gap to Hedley.

Despite taking a podium in the opening race, O’Sullivan claimed he struggled with straight line speed throughout the weekend.

“I was a bit surprised when I was behind three cars with a three car tow and I was still getting dropped in a straight line,” he said after race one. “There’s definitely some stuff to work on, but we’re there or there abouts.”

O’Sullivan heads into the final round of the season 76 points behind James Hedley when dropped scores are taken into consideration. A full breakdown of the championship permutations can be found here.

Image Credit: Caroline Rhea

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

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2019 Ginetta Junior ChampionshipSilverstone 2019

Silverstone double rookie podium Qarajouli’s “greatest achievement” in career to date

by Bethonie Waring
written by Bethonie Waring

Total Control Racing driver Haytham Qarajouli described his best ever result in the Ginetta Junior championship as the “greatest achievement” in his career to date.

Finishing eighth on track in the opening race of the weekend at Silverstone, Qarajouli was promoted to seventh when Ben Kasperczak was handed a 1 second penalty. The result boosted the Kuwait racer onto the rookie podium for the first time this season.

After a difficult race two, in which he finished 11th overall, Qarajouli bounced back in the final race of the weekend. He spent most of the race battling to keep championship contender Zak O’Sullivan behind him on track, but held off the R Racing driver to take eighth and third in the rookie class.

“I’m totally overjoyed at the weekend’s results, it’s the greatest achievement so far this season and in my career to date,” said Qarajouli.

“As testing started on Thursday, I couldn’t dream that this result would come so soon. We worked really hard as a team on the set up and finally it came together.

“I’m confident we can have a good chance also at Brands Hatch next weekend.

“I want to thank again all the team at Total Control Racing and my National team GForce Racing in my hometown of Kuwait. Also to my parents for all the support and encouragement, and my sponsors and partners who make the racing all possible.

“I am honoured to receive such great support and encouragement from Kuwait this weekend again from Sheikh Ali Salem AlSabah, who has been to most of my races this year, and to family friends visiting from USA.”

The result was Qarajouli’s best of the season and the first time the TCR racer has finished inside the top 10 since Brands Hatch at the start of the year. He heads into the final round of the championship 19th in the championship standings, close behind fellow rookie drivers Freddie Tomlinson, Frankie Taylor, and Bailey Voisin.

Feature Image Credit: Jakob Ebrey

Additional Image Credit: Lex Akehurst

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

 

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2019 Ginetta Junior ChampionshipSilverstone 2019

Worn brakes to blame for Brooks’ race one crash

by Bethonie Waring
written by Bethonie Waring

A worn brake pad was to blame for Ginetta Junior Scholarship winner Ethan Brooks’ early end to the opening Ginetta Junior race at Silverstone.

The Total Control Racing driver led a Ginetta Junior race for the first time last weekend, after a stunning performance in qualifying put him second on the grid.

But Brooks’ race was cut short when he ran into the gravel at high speed at the end of the Wellington Straight six laps before the chequered flag.

“I got to the front for the first five laps, pulling away, then we had the pad go off on the brakes, so they didn’t work when I pushed them down,” he explained.

“We ended up in the wall at the end of the Wellington straight, which was really frustrating after leading my first race.”

It was a mixed weekend for Brooks. He led for the majority of the qualifying session, something he said was “unexpected”, before being pipped to pole by championship leader James Hedley.

The 15-year-old came back in race two to take eighth overall and third place in the rookie class, his sixth top 10 of the season, before contact with Ben Kasperczak in the final race of the weekend caused another retirement.

Like many drivers, Brooks has already begun to turn his attention to next season, which will start at Donington Park at the end of March.

“I’m hoping to come back to Juniors, or progress to GT5s,” he told Ginetta Junior Update. “It’s all budget dependent at the moment, so I’m just hoping to impress to get the sponsors onboard for next year.”

Image credit: Caroline Rhea

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

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2019 Ginetta Junior ChampionshipSilverstone 2019

Taylor wins Silverstone finale in photo finish

by Bethonie Waring
written by Bethonie Waring

James Taylor won the final Ginetta Junior race at Silverstone in a photo finish with Gus Burton and Lorcan Hanafin, despite the chequered flag not being shown.

The clock had already ticked to zero when the drivers ran down the start-finish straight three abreast. The last lap board was shown as the trio crossed the line, Taylor just 0.02s ahead of Hanafin, and they continued to battle for what appeared to be the final lap.

Taylor ran wide, allowing Hanafin, Will Martin, and James Hedley to pass the Richardson Racing driver, before Martin snatched the race lead from Hanafin.

But the chequered flag was called midway through the final lap scrap and results counted back to the last lap, putting Taylor on the top step of the podium and Martin back in fifth.

It was a frustrating end to a chaotic race in which there was often a five car battle at the front of the field.

Hanafin snatched the lead off the line before a small mistake dropped Taylor back to third and into a battle with Hedley.

The pair were joined by Zak O’Sullivan and Martin, making it a three-way fight for third while Burton challenged Hanafin at the front of the field.

Taylor managed to shake off Hedley and passed Burton for second before taking the race lead back from Hanafin before a safety car was brought out when Ben Kasperczak and Ethan Brooks came together.

Hanafin and Burton both kept the pressure on Taylor on the restart, with Burton briefly taking the race lead before being pulled back into the battle.

Taylor managed to just hold on ahead of Hanafin  and Burton, taking his second win of the weekend after another tough battle with Hanafin and Burton in the second race of the weekend.

As in race three, Hanafin briefly assumed the race lead but was soon shuffled back as positions changed almost every lap among the top four. Taylor was able to edge away from the rest of the field in the final laps to take the win 1.1s ahead of Hanafin, with Burton third and Hedley P4.

Zak O’Sullivan finished fifth, securing the rookie cup.

Hedley matched his race two result in race three, finishing fourth ahead of Martin and rookie winner Joel Pearson.

Josh Rattican and Haytham Qarajouli took seventh and eighth, with O’Sullivan and Ethan Hawkey rounding out the top 10.

Image Credit: Caroline Rhea

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

Position Name Number Team Time/Gap
1 James Taylor 66 Richardson Racing 20m00.310s
2 Lorcan Hanafin 23 Douglas Motorsport +0.020s
3 Gus Burton 57 Douglas Motorsport +0.091s
4 James Hedley 67 Elite Motorsport +0.313s
5 Will Martin 10 Richardson Racing +1.125s
6 Joel Pearson 29 R Racing +1.307s
7 Josh Rattican 21 R Racing +2.563s
8 Haytham Qarajouli 75 Total Control Racing +3.432s
9 Zak O’Sullivan 51 R Racing +4.485s
10 Ethan Hawkey 40 Richardson Racing +5.381s
11 Ben O’Hare 95 Premiership Academy +5.717s
12 Casper Stevenson 25 Richardson Racing +7.837s
13 Dan Gale 68 Total Control Racing +8.285s
14 Freddie Tomlinson 62 Douglas Motorsport +8.362s
15 Aston Millar 70 R Racing +9.355s
16 Bailey Vosin 22 Douglas Motorsport +9.771s
17 Suleiman Zanfari 52 Elite Motorsport +12.884s
18 Molly Dodd 47 Premiership Academy +13.732s
19 Frankie Taylor 32 Team HARD +17.893s
DNF Zak Taylor 23 Alastair Rushforth Motorsport +32.276s
DNF Ben Kasperczak 35 BK Racing +9 Laps
DNF Ethan Brooks 86 Total Control Racing +10 Laps
DSQ Kieran Fuller 88 Privateer

 

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2019 Ginetta Junior ChampionshipSilverstone 2019

Martin victorious as Hedley spins

by Bethonie Waring
written by Bethonie Waring

Will Martin returned to the top step of the Ginetta Junior podium at Silverstone as championship leader James Hedley span on the opening lap.

Lorcan Hanafin took the chequered flag first on track, but was handed a five second penalty for exceeding track limits, dropping him off the podium.

Hedley started from pole but immedietly came under pressure from Ethan Brooks and Burton. The Elite Motorsport driver dropped back to third before making contact with another driver and spinning.

A number of drivers ran wide to avoid the incident and Hedley dropped down the order, but was able to continue.

The drama ahead allowed Zak O’Sullivan, who had started down the order, to join Martin, Hanafin and Burton in the battle for what was second.

Brooks, whose best finish in the championship was a seventh place at Thruxton, had a small gap at the front of the field, but ran into the gravel at high speed, bringing an early end to his race.

The incident moved Martin into the race lead, but Burton and Hanafin were able to both pass the Richardson Racing driver.

Hanafin led Burton over the line, but both drivers dropped backwards after penalties were applied, allowing Martin to take his first victory since Thruxton.

O’Sullivan took second ahead of James Taylor, who fell backwards on the opening lap and put in a strong recovery drive.

Hanafin took fourth, ahead of Aston Millar and Gus Burton.

Ben Kasperczak took seventh overall on track, but was handed a 1 second time penalty and dropped back to ninth, promoting Haytham Qarajouli onto the rookie podium. Josh Rattican also benefited, finishing P8.

Casper Stevenson rounded out the top 10, while Hedley finished 17th.

Image Credit: Caroline Rhea

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

Position Name Number Team Time/Gap
1 Will Martin 10 Richardson Racing 13m21.198s (11 Laps)
2 Zak O’Sullivan 51 R Racing +0.335s
3 James Taylor 66 Richardson Racing +0.759s
4 Lorcan Hanafin 23 Douglas Motorsport +2.599s
5 Aston Millar 70 R Racing +2.986s
6 Gus Burton 57 Douglas Motorsport +4.818s
7 Haytham Qarajouli 75 Total Control Racing +7.570s
8 Josh Rattican 21 R Racing +8.121s
9 Ben Kasperczak 35 BK Racing +8.514s
10 Casper Stevenson 25 Richardson Racing +8.695s
11 Bailey Vosin 22 Douglas Motorsport +9.763s
12 Ethan Hawkey 40 Richardson Racing +12.713s
13 Frankie Taylor 32 Team HARD +18.089s
14 Ben O’Hare 95 Premiership Academy +19.714s
15 Molly Dodd 47 Premiership Academy +20.666s
16 Freddie Tomlinson 62 Douglas Motorsport +21.921s
17 James Hedley 67 Elite Motorsport +22.645s
18 Suleiman Zanfari 52 Elite Motorsport +25.731s
19 Dan Gale 68 Total Control Racing +38.875s
20 Kieran Fuller 88 Privateer +45.024s
21 Zak Taylor 23 Alastair Rushforth Motorsport +1m01.634s
DNF Ethan Brooks 86 Total Control Racing +6 Laps
DNF Joel Pearson 29 R Racing +11 Laps

 

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2019 Ginetta Junior ChampionshipSilverstone 2019

Hedley takes pole for penultimate round

by Bethonie Waring
written by Bethonie Waring

James Hedley starts the penultimate round of the 2019 Ginetta Junior championship with another pole position at Silverstone, topping the times with his final lap of the session.

Scholarship winner Ethan Brooks spent most of the second half of the session top of the order, set for his first car racing pole position.

Hedley was 0.08s behind at the start of their final laps, but put personal best sector times in both sectors to find just under a tenth of a second. He ended the morning with a 1m11.694s to take his ninth pole of the season, 0.012s ahead of Brooks.

His second fastest lap time was enough to put the championship leader on pole for the second race of the weekend, while Gus Burton – who qualified third overall – beat Brooks to the front row of the grid.

Will Martin took fourth quickest, ahead of Joel Pearson and championship contender Zak O’Sullivan.

James Taylor topped the time early in the session before a red flag was brought out when championship newcomer Kieran Fuller came to a stop on track.

When the session resumed with nine minutes on the clock, Taylor couldn’t find the same improvements as the rest of the field, dropping back to seventh before the chequered flag.

Lorcan Hanafin, Ethan Hawkey, and Casper Stevenson completed the top 10.

Image Credit: Caroline Rhea

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

Name Number Team Time
James Hedley 67 Elite Motorsport 1m11.694s
Ethan Brooks 86 Total Control Racing 1m11.706s
Gus Burton 57 Douglas Motorsport 1m11.776s
Will Martin 10 Richardson Racing 1m11.864s
James Taylor 66 Elite Motorsport 1m12.010s
Joel Pearson 29 R Racing 1m12.056s
Lorcan Hanafin 23 Douglas Motorsport 1m12.073s
Ethan Hawkey 40 Richardson Racing 1m12.220s
Zak O’Sullivan 51 R Racing 1m12.246s
Josh Rattican 21 R Racing 1m12.390s
Ben Kasperczak 35 BK Racing 1m12.453s
Aston Millar 70 R Racing 1m12.550s
Haytham Qarajouli 75 Total Control Racing 1m12.638s
Casper Stevenson 25 Richardson Racing 1m12.710s
Bailey Vosin 22 Douglas Motorsport 1m12.946s
Ben O’Hare 95 Premiership Academy 1m12.961s
Dan Gale 68 Total Control Racing 1m13.014s
Frankie Taylor 32 Team HARD 1m13.726s
Molly Dodd 47 Premiership Academy 1m14.217s
Suleiman Zanfari 52 Elite Motorsport 1m14.218s
Zak Taylor 99 Alastair Rushforth Motorsport 1m14.302s
Freddie Tomlinson 62 Douglas Motorsport 1m14.418s
Kieran Fuller 88 Privateer

Second Fastest Times

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