Ginetta Junior Double For Zamparelli

Ginetta Junior Championship leader Dino Zamparelli continued his relentless march towards the 2008 title with yet another race victory on Sunday, 18th May, during the 10th round of the season.Racing in front of a large Hampshire crowd at the country’s fastest motor racing venue, Thruxton near Andover, Zamparelli nosed ahead at the start of the race from pole position and was never headed as he strolled to a six second victory margin over closest championship rival Tom Carnaby.In a reversal of the second and third steps of the podium from Saturday’s ninth round, Dominic Pettit ended the race behind Carnaby after a decisive move by the latter at Club Chicane on the final lap.Fourth position for Daniel Lloyd, from sixth on the grid, was enough to see him overhaul Josh Hill for third position in the title chase while Fergus Walkinshaw took fifth ahead of Aaron Williamson.Speaking after the race, Zamparelli said: “I knew I had to put in some consistent laps early on, which I did, and that allowed me to pull away from Dominic (Pettit) and ultimately win. It’s always good to score points and to take wins so I’m very happy.”Early on in the race, Jake Farndon looked as though he stood a good chance of trying to challenge Zamparelli – or at the least claim a podium – but a lap two spin at Campbell saw him plummet down the order. An inspired recovery drive enabled him to climb into seventh place before the finish though.The fight for second between Carnaby and Pettit provided good entertainment for the duration of the race. Straight-lining the chicane on lap three, Pettit moved to the head of the battle but Carnaby regained the place as they headed through the complex at the start of lap four.On the fifth tour, Pettit took the advantage through Allard after Carnaby comprised his start to the lap by getting slightly out of shape on the exit of the chicane. Before long, the order changed again but this scrap looked set to go down to the final corner, which it did, with Carnaby crossing the line just half a second clear of his rival.“I definitely needed that second place”, said Carnaby at the conclusion of round 10, “It was a good race but very hard to try and catch the leader when he’s out on his own and you’re having to defend your position. I’m happy though.”As on Saturday, Alice Powell produced an excellent damage limitation performance with a top 10 result having started at the back of the grid. Like Josh Hill, Powell had to start both of the weekend’s races from the last row due to the fact she was using a spare car for the race following an accident on Saturday.Making an absolutely electric start and hooking up a thoroughly impressive opening lap, Powell moved into eighth place on lap two and although slipping back behind Casey Watson and the recovering Farndon late on, 10th place was still a great return. Hill, meanwhile, did a good job to drive an unfamiliar car to 12th place at the chequered flag.The fastest lap of the race, and the additional bonus point, went to Pettit for his time of 1m 35.586 seconds (88.73mph). Carnaby’s best from Saturday afternoon’s ninth round remained unbeaten though so he still holds the new circuit lap record.Rounds 11 and 12 of the 2008 Ginetta Junior Championship season will take place just two weeks from now on 31st May/1st June at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire – very much a home venue for Ginetta Cars with the company headquarters situated just over 60 miles away in Garforth, Leeds. Provisional 2008 Ginetta Junior Championship Positions (after Rd10)1st Dino Zamparelli, 320pts; 2nd Thomas Carnaby, 232pts; 3rd Daniel Lloyd, 183pts; 4th Josh Hill, 176pts; 5th Dominic Pettit, 169pts; 6th Jake Farndon, 166pts

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