James Fleming Impressed Once Again At Kirkistown - Photo Credit: Con Connolly
James Fleming continued his great 2012 Ginetta Junior Ireland campaign with two more podiums during Rounds Five and Six of the series at Kirkistown.
The momentum was with Fleming heading into the meeting, after a double win in Rounds Three and Four at Mondello Park. The Dubliner was hoping for more success at Kirkistown, however he was on the back foot early on when budget restrictions meant he could not take part in the Friday pre-event test.
In the fifteen minute qualifying session, Fleming overcame some early problems to storm to second off the grid, just 0.3 seconds off championship rival Jake Bryne. A disappointing getaway to the opening race saw him miss a gear and slip down to third, however he quickly reeled in Andrew Clarke and passed him for second. On a roll, Fleming closed down Byrne but was unable to get by and had to settle for second place.
Race two looked promising for Fleming as his fastest lap from the opening race was good enough to give him a maiden pole position. A good start put Fleming into the lead out of turn one, but came under early pressure from Byrne, who got by on lap three to take the lead.
Despite struggling with a brake problem, Fleming was able to pressure the leader and got alongside on the run out the hairpin on the penultimate lap, however he soon ran out of road and touched the grass, spinning himself towards the tyre wall backwards. Fleming was able to keep going, but by that time he had slipped to third, where he finished.
Fleming said: “We were unable to take part in the pre-event test as we are on a very small budget, so I hoped to collect as many points as possible to keep our championship challenge alive. I'm delighted to have done this by getting 2 podiums. I'm now looking forward to Mondello in July where hopefully I can repeat my last visit to Mondello and take another double victory.
You can keep up to date with Fleming's season through his website www.jamesflemingracing.com or on twitter at @JamesFleming10
