For Ollie Chadwick, race wins must feel like London buses.
After waiting all season for one, suddenly two came along at once for the 17 year old following a masterful performance in the final rounds of the 2013 Ginetta Junior Championship at Brands Hatch.
Chadwick converted pole into a lights-to-flag victory in the finale weekend’s opening encounter, before battling through from fourth to first to complete his double.
The wins were the perfect end to a frustrating campaign for the JHR Developments ace, who’d showed raw race-winning pace throughout, but was unable to take a coveted victory.
“It’s a perfect way to end the season, we were only two points off securing maximum points for the meeting,” Chadwick told TCF.
“We’ve been quick in testing all season, I think the lowest we’ve come is about third, and in qualifying we’ve always been there or thereabouts. I’ve got to hold my hands up though, I’ve made mistakes this season, and we’ve also had our fair share of bad luck, at Oulton we had a puncture and an alternator failure for example.
“So be here now, on the top step of the podium for both races, is brilliant, and it’s a huge relief to finally get the wins.”
The Brands weekend proved to be a fitting farewell to the Junior championship for Chadwick, his most successful weekend ever bringing to a close his three-year association with the one-make series.
“It’s been brilliant,” he enthused. “They’re fantastic cars, you take them on test days and beat cars with twice as much power. There great fun cars to drive and I’ve enjoyed racing them the past three years.
“I’ll still be around next season, as Jamie will be racing, and though I’ll be sad to leave it, we’re obviously looking to move onto bigger and newer things now.”
Chadwick is keen to remain with the JHR Developments outfit for 2014, though which championship he’ll be competing in is still to be decided, with the Tetbury-based racer admitting the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup, Renault UK Clio Cup and Michelin Clio Cup Series are all possible options.
“We’ll see what the winter brings. I haven’t driven any of the cars yet to know which I like and enjoy, so we’ll do some running and sit down over the winter and decide what the best move is for me,” he concluded.
