Team Parker Racing’s Adam Bonham was denied a top-10 result after being taken off by a rival in a disappointing final round of the Ginetta Junior Championship for the team.
The Leicestershire teenager was restricted to the eighth row of the grid for both races by a niggling mechanical problem in qualifying, while inexperienced Monmouthshire team-mate Finlay Ractliffe showed well to sit on the same row as Bonham.
Both drivers made a superb start to the opening race, but Bonham was unlucky to get hit at Graham Hill Bend on the first lap. That damaged the suspension toe-in, meaning that the front wheels were pointing inwards for the rest of the race. Despite this, he was able to take 11th after a hectic race. Ractliffe visited the grass early in the race, but put in a solid drive from there on to claim 14th.
Bonham stormed into what would have been a top-eight position in the second race, only to get punted off the circuit and out of action. His assailant was fined by officials for his part in the accident, and Bonham exonerated of any blame. That completed a difficult race for the team, after Ractliffe spun into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend.
Driver coach Danny Buxton said: “This is like the weekend that never was. According to our data Adam could have had one of the fastest laps, but when you start 16th on the grid with a load of drivers whose average age is 15 you’re always going to incur some damage!
“It might have been a disappointing weekend, but we’ve had a really positive second half of the season overall. Adam had a run of front-row qualifying positions, and considering where he was last year we’re really pleased. Finlay is obviously fast but just needs to wind it in a little and the results will come.
“This has been an interesting voyage for the first year of the Ginetta Junior team, and now we just need to keep adding to what potentially can be a very good operation. Roll on the Winter Series and the 2011 season!”
The Ginetta Junior Championship again enjoyed live coverage of its second race at Brands Hatch on ITV4, and was streamed live on itv.com. The weekend crowd figure was given as 45,000.
