David Pittard is looking to improve on an up-and-down Protyre Ginetta GT5 Challenge debut at Oulton Park last time out by making it onto the podium at this weekend’s second trio of rounds at Rockingham.
The SV21 driver had a very encouraging first weekend in the series in Cheshire at the end of last month, but was left frustrated after missing out on a podium in the day’s opening three races after being involved in an incident in race one, and losing podium places on the last lap of the latter pair of encounters including a certain second place with a spin at the final corner of race three, qa race which he had also grabbed the lead early on.
Pittard hopes to put that right this weekend, and feels his front-running pace at Oulton Park showed his credentials as he plans to visit the rostrum at Rockingham.
“Oulton Park proved we had clear race winning pace, despite having such limited testing in the car”, said Pittard. “The situation for us is obvious that we will continue to get quicker.
“To not be on the podium at least once over the three opening races was a massive disappointment. The car had been set up and prepared brilliantly, however I made mistakes which cost the team the results they deserved. Rockingham now gives me the chance to put that right.”
Pittard also spent four track days in a Praga R1 machine at the Slovak Ring recently, commenting: “The trip to the Slovak Ring was a great experience and the car was very impressive. It weighs 600kg, has 200bhp and massive amounts of down force – quite a difference to the Ginetta. I had to quickly re-learn how to drive the car again in just three sessions.
“The circuit itself has deceivingly long, technical corners, but by the end of the day both the team and I were pleased with the progress and lap times we achieved. I am looking forward to the opportunity of working with the team, and car again.”
Pittard currently lies fourth in the championship standings as rounds four, five and six of the Protyre Ginetta GT5 Challenge await at Rockingham this weekend.
