The first half of the 2014 Ginetta Junior Championship campaign has flown by and, with a killer five week break until the next round at Snetterton, I have a bit of time to reflect on what has been a roller-coaster start to the season.
Inevitably, we are judged on results, and these have been a bit frustrating and don’t necessarily reflect where we feel we should be at this stage. With two podiums and a total of five top five finishes, we have certainly demonstrated front running capabilities.
Unfortunately, in motorsports, issues and incidents beyond our control conspired against us at several meetings. With two DNFs resulting from other drivers’ errors, mechanical problems, and my own error at Croft, we are underperforming our expectations in the Championship – currently sitting in 8th. However, I am optimistic that we can put these disappointments behind us and focus our attention on an error-free second half of the season.
Continuity is very important and I have stayed with JHR Developments for a second year. There is extremely competitive, yet positive atmosphere within the team. Jack [Mitchell] and I have been pushing each other hard to find more and more in ourselves and in the cars, which resulted in a dominant JHR front row lock out at Oulton Park.
I have also continued to work very closely with my driver coach Jonny Adam, with the occasional insight from Tom Onslow-Cole. Both of whom have improved my technical knowledge and driving ability.
It would be naive of me to underestimate the competitiveness of the Ginetta Junior field this year, and despite some issues with regards driving standards, several knowledgeable observers have remarked that, without a doubt, this is the toughest grid to date in the Championship.
Therefore, to achieve race wins and climb up the Championship table is going to take hard work, clever decisions and some four-leaf clovers!
Watch this space, we’re coming…