Oulton Park Island Circuit in Cheshire welcomes the Ginetta Junior Championship next weekend, 6th/7th June, where Matt Chapman is more determined than ever to take the first podium finish of his young car racing career.
While the Oxford driver has encountered a mixed start to his second season as part of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship support package, last time out at ultra-fast Thruxton he produced his best result of the campaign as well as setting the fastest lap of the weekend.
From the outset this year, the 15-year-old has consistently proven his speed in both qualifying and race trim but a series of incidents, out of his control, have conspired to limit his points-scoring ability so he is currently an unrepresentative 12th in the championship standings.
Matt’s sensational pace at Thruxton earlier this month more than confirmed his potential as a podium challenger, but he had to be satisfied with a best-yet seventh place in the first race of the weekend – round five.
Ahead of rounds seven and eight of the season at Oulton Park, though, Kielder-backed Matt says confidence has never been higher and he is determined to mount a bid for his maiden podium at the wheel of his Total Control Racing-run Ginetta G40.
“Thruxton was definitely our most competitive weekend of the season so far and hopefully we can build on that at Oulton”, he commented, “It’s been a bit of an unlucky year so far but the pace is there, we showed that at Thruxton with fastest lap, so there’s no reason we shouldn’t be in the fight for the podium next weekend.”
Oulton’s picturesque parkland setting regularly attracts one of the biggest crowds of the season for the Ginetta Juniors, and the challenging nature of the undulating Island Circuit always provides a stern test. Last year, the championship competed on the longer International Circuit configuration where Matt was a double top 10 finisher and he is now relishing his first races on the Island track.
“Oulton is a great track, a real challenge for the drivers, and the racing could be even closer this year on the Island Circuit”, he added, “We know what we need to do next weekend, qualifying is going to be key. If we get that right I’m confident it could be the kick-start my season needs.”
Following officially timed testing at Oulton Park on Friday, 5th June, an additional practice session and qualifying will follow on Saturday, 6th June. Round seven of the Ginetta Junior season will get underway at 13.40 on Sunday, 7th June, with round eight beginning at 16.55 – both races will be screened live on ITV4 with online streaming at www.itv.com/btcc
