Two Poles and a Win Marked A Great Weekend For Charlie Robertson - Photo Credit: Chris Gurton Photography
Charlie Robertson continued his remarkable debut season in the 2011 Ginetta Junior Championship by taking his second victory of the season during Round Sixteen at Rockingham.
Robertson, the youngest driver in the whole championship, headed the timesheets in pre-event practice and dominated qualifying to take his fourth and fifth pole positions of the season in qualifying.
The Surrey-based racer didn't have a great opening race though, contact from behind on the first lap forcing him off circuit and dropping him to the back. He fought back to take ninth, which was later made eighth when the rival who hit him off got penalised for the incident.
The live televised race saw HHC Motorsport's Robertson make amends with a stunning drive. Slotting into second at the start, he latched onto the bumper of the leader and on lap two made a great move into the Brook Chicane to take the lead, before edging out to take a comfortable win.
Charlie commented: “It's a really good result for me and the team. I just managed to hold Niall off over the last few laps – that was the biggest thing on my mind as he was pretty close. We had the pace to win though, the car felt really good and I really like the track – Rockingham is one of my favourites, especially with the massive crowds we've had this weekend.”
The seventh podium of his rookie season was not enough to keep the fourteen year old second in the championship standings though, Robertson slipping to third on the category's double 'drop score' ruling. This means a strong performance next time out at Brands Hatch is vital to give him a chance to finish as the championships vice-champion.
Charlie added: “I'm really looking forward now to Brands Hatch, I have tested there and the GP track is mega. I'm confident we'll have the pace there, we'll work hard to find a good set-up as we always do and try and take two good results.”
