Matt Chapman believes the penultimate race meeting of the season at Silverstone National Circuit next weekend, 26th/27th September, could well provide his best chance yet of securing a long overdue maiden category podium.
With only four races remaining in the 2015 season, the visit to the home of the British Grand Prix also marks a crucial event in terms of the overall championship as the 15-year-old from Oxford strives to break into the coveted top 10 at his ‘home’ track.
Matt’s second season in cars has been far from smooth, with a variety of incidents and dramas having badly impacted his title challenge, but he remains as determined as ever to secure his first silverware in Ginetta Juniors and arrives at Silverstone off the back of a strong run of recent results.
Driving for top team Total Control Racing, who last weekend won the sister Ginetta GT5 Challenge title at Donington Park with Ginetta Junior graduate James Kellett, Matt heads into rounds 17 and 18 of his campaign just 17 points shy of the coveted top 10 and with a big points haul in his sights.
“We’ve had quite a good run over the last few rounds, there have been some opportunities to finish on the podium and although we didn’t quite make it we’ve still taken away some good points and had really strong pace”, said the teenager.
“To be honest, our pace has been good all year but things have just gone against us. It’s been one of those seasons unfortunately but there are still four races to keep making my mark and I’m determined to get onto the podium next weekend. I’m sure we can be just as competitive at Silverstone as we were at Rockingham and Knockhill.”
Silverstone National is one of the shortest circuits on the Ginetta Junior calendar and with only four corners, five if the right-hand kink at Woodcote is included, the action is always fast paced and the configuration provides some sensational slip-streaming battles – which Matt is looking forward to.
“I’m sure the racing is going to be as close as it has all season, with so few corners and two wide straights there are always lots of opportunities for overtaking and slipstreaming”, he added, “If we can get qualifying right, I’m pretty confident we could be on for our best weekend yet.”
So far this season Matt has a best result of fifth place under his belt, from round 14 at Knockhill in Scotland last month, and has also chalked-up two other top six finishes and five more results in the top eight.
Following the regular pre-event test on Friday, 25th September, final free practice will follow on Saturday, 26th September, ahead of qualifying at 11.00 and round 17 at 16.30. On Sunday, 27th September, round 18 will begin at 11.15.
Provisional Ginetta Junior Championship Standings (after Rd16): 11th Matt Chapman, 169pts
