Daniel Harper says leaving Silverstone still holding the Rookie Cup lead was “the most important thing” after he endured another difficult Ginetta Junior Championship weekend.
The reigning Ginetta Junior Scholarship winner battled a straight-line speed deficit to his rivals across the meeting, which left him unable to push forwards in the closely contested trio of races.
Harper put himself in a strong position for race one with sixth in qualifying, however a robust opening couple of laps saw him get knocked back to 14th, from which he recovered to 10th overall.
The Northern Irishman would go on to secure a fourteenth Rookie podium finish of the season so far in race two, making steady progress to finish eighth overall and third in class.
His chances of another podium in race three were ended with late contact though, a tag in the rear sending him wide before his car pitched into a spin as it returned to the circuit.
Stranded in the middle of the circuit, his Douglas Motorsport G40 received a heavy impact from another car, with Harper fortunately given the all clear from the circuit’s medical team.
Despite his troubles over the weekend, Harper has maintained the Rookie lead and fifth overall in the championship heading into the Brands Hatch season finale next weekend.
“It’s been another disappointing weekend overall. We had high hopes for Silverstone and our testing pace promised much more, but it just didn’t go our way unfortunately as we battled with speed problems and contact,” said Harper.
“Coming out of the weekend still in the Rookie Cup lead is the most important thing, and I can’t thank the Douglas Motorsport team enough for all their hard work. We’ll regroup now and go to Brands Hatch ready to seal the championship with two strong results.”
