With four podium finishes from the first seven races of the 2009 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship, 20-year-old car racing rookie Josh Mulholland has made a remarkable start to his debut season in single-seater competition.
Off the back of a glittering karting career in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which produced a number of prestigious title successes, the Randalstown student headed into Formula Renault BARC this year aiming to push for podium results as quickly as possible. Even Josh himself though couldn’t have wished for such a tremendous start to his debut season.
“It’s been a fantastic season up to now”, said the talented Co. Antrim racer, “We wanted to come into a series where we knew we could be competitive from the off and learn as much as possible before hopefully stepping up to Formula Renault UK in our second year. The initial goal was to get onto the podium as quickly as possible which we’ve achieved. Now I’m aiming for my first win.”
Arriving at Oulton Park Island Circuit in Cheshire towards the end of May for the opening round of the 2009 season, Josh immediately impressed at the wheel of his Mulholland Scrap Metals-backed car by securing a top six finish against some very experienced rivals. In addition, he underlined his pace with the fourth fastest race lap – just three 10ths of a second shy of podium pace.
Delighted with his first race performance in the highly competitive category, the Alpine Motorsport driver improved yet further at Snetterton in Norfolk and in only the third round of the campaign he secured his maiden podium finish with a terrific move on the final lap at the daunting Bomb Hole.
In round two which took place earlier in the weekend, Josh finished in fifth position after superbly carving his way through the order from 10th on the grid. In doing so, he also set the second fastest lap of the race to once again serve notice of his burgeoning potential.
The third event of the season, rounds four and five at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire, produced Josh’s second podium in as many races with a determined drive to third place in the opening encounter. Backing the result up with another big points haul for fourth position in round five, Josh departed Croft with an excellent top three placing in the championship standings.
BARC title challenge gathers pace at Donington ParkAt the most recent event at Donington Park in Leicestershire, Josh made a terrific start by out-qualifying experienced championship leader Kieren Clark in both sessions to secure a spot on the front row for each race.
Although ultimately he had to settle for a brace of third place finishes rather than the maiden race victory he craved, the Northern Irishman’s pace and racecraft were superb and it was certainly his most successful weekend of the year as he climbed into second position in the title race. There is no question Josh’s first car racing win cannot be far away.
Throughout the seven rounds contested so far, he has proven himself to be an exceptionally talented young racing driver and one with the potential to rise up the motorsport ladder towards his dream of Formula One. That said, he acknowledges the level of funding required to compete in F1 and fully understands the need to attract additional commercial partners to achieve his goal of becoming a paid, professional racing driver.
“People in racing circles are obviously aware of Formula Renault BARC and the fact it’s a good feeder for the UK championship”, added Josh, “I’m hoping everyone in Northern Ireland and Ireland will become more aware of it as the season progresses, that’s what we need to help gain sponsors.
“Looking ahead, we want to move into Formula Renault UK next year and then obviously the step after that would be something like Formula 3 or World Series by Renault. We need more support financially to make that happen though so we’re working very hard to achieve it.”
Josh’s next track action, rounds eight and nine, will come this weekend, 22nd/23rd August, at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent. The 10th and 11th rounds of the season will be held on 5th/6th September at Rockingham in Northamptonshire with the championship finale, rounds 12 and 13, taking place at Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire on 11th October.
Provisional 2009 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship Standings (after Rd7):1st Kieren Clark, 222pts; 2nd Josh Mulholland,160pts
