Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship Contender Sean Doyle - Photo Credit: Anthony Levingston - D4DPhotos.com
Sean Doyle enjoyed a great campaign in the 2011 Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship, challenging for the title throughout before narrowly missing out on the top spot. The Checkered Flag chatted to Sean to reflect on his year and his hopes for the future.
Doyle, who's previous racing experience came in racing 1/8th RC Nitro cars and Junior Rallycross, headed into the Ginetta Junior Ireland series in 2010. After a strong maiden year, the 17 year old looked to mount a championship challenge in 2011 and the Wicklow-based racer did just that, taking a superb five wins and six other podiums finishes as he battled eventual champion Andy O'Brien through the season, eventually finishing second in the standings.
Doyle said: “I had hoped to win the championship but I am reasonably happy with my performance. Considering that nobody from my Dads family or my Mums family have ever raced and considering it was only my second season, I think I did very well. Of course I’m disappointed but I accept that Andy had just a little bit more luck than I had. I enjoyed the season; racing against Andy was very close all season and always very clean between us. I enjoyed the challenge.”
Sean Doyle In His Distinctive Orange Ginetta G20 - Photo Credit: Anthony Levingston - D4DPhotos.com
Doyle, who's represented Ireland five times in RC racing, believes that the Ginetta series has been a welcome addition to the Irish racing scene, commenting: “I think it’s provided a fantastic opportunity for all the young Irish drivers who want to race. It's a great training ground for young drivers who are involved in karting and wish to move up from karting. It has provided me with a great opportunity which I hope will lead to something greater.”
As a prize for coming second in the championship, Doyle has received a test in the Ginetta G40 Junior car as a prize, as used in the UK Ginetta Junior series. Doyle is excited for the opportunity, but admits it won't lead to a campaign in the UK series next term, instead he's hoping to switch to the Global GT Light championship in his homeland.
Doyle concluded: “I was delighted when I was given the opportunity to test the G40 and I’m looking forward to it. I hope to raise enough sponsorship to race a Global GT Light in Ireland and they travel to a few tracks in England also. Eventually I would love to end up racing in the BTCC.”
