Maiden Ginetta GT4 victory for Declan Jones at Snetterton

Maiden Ginetta GT4 victory for Declan Jones at Snetterton

Declan Jones claimed his first outright Ginetta win in his Whitley Neill Gin branded-Ginetta G55 during round five of the 2017 Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup at Snetterton last weekend (July 29-30).

The Halewood Wines & Spirits-backed star, who has switched to running with Rob Boston Racing for the second half of the season, began the event well and was fourth quickest overall in practice on Friday.

Declan then maintained that form in qualifying to secure a position on the second row of the grid, just 0.155secs off third.

In the opening race, he fought back after a tricky start to bag fifth, before a brilliant performance in Sunday’s opener, race 2, saw him jump to third at the start and then proceed to claim victory.

That result – combined with a seventh place in race 3 that was broadcast live on UK television on ITV4 – saw him pick up 71 points in total from the weekend, moving the Rob Boston Racing-Whitely Neill Gin team man back up to fifth in the Championship with 243 points in total.

“What a weekend! Obviously we changed team this weekend and the results show why we made that decision,” Declan said. “In qualifying we were happy with P4 and a place on the second row. Race 1 wasn’t the best of starts, but we came back to fifth. Then we went into Sunday morning and it was ever changing conditions for Race 2 – and quite damp in places.

“I just made a really good start to get to third and read it really well and just went with it. I got up to second on lap 4 and first on lap 6 and just pulled away. It was nice to be able to do that and maintain the lead finishing comfortably ahead. I think I was something like 4 secs ahead at one point.

“The final race I got boxed in at the start and a few cars went passed. Then that was it really – everyone just plateaued and there was not much to do, but to get a fifth, a seventh and that win meant it was a very good weekend overall.”

“It is such a morale booster to get that first victory,” Declan continued. “It is unbelievable. It has proved to a lot of people that I wasn’t just making excuses in the first half of the season and I am just really happy.

“I want to thank everyone at Rob Boston Racing for preparing and running the car so well this weekend. Thanks as well to my sponsors Whitley Neill Gin for their faith and support. We’ve definitely all got lots to celebrate.

“This is a brilliant way to start the second half of the season and it will be good to go to Rockingham now in a good place. We want to walk away with more podiums and more wins in the final three events of the year.”

Rob Boston Racing boss, Rob Boston was delighted to see Declan win and give the Lincolnshire squad its fourth Ginetta GT4 SuperCup victory of the year.

“Declan was obviously a new recruit to the team this weekend and he settled in really nicely. We have had very little time for him to learn how we work and we how he works, but we got there very quickly. He was quicker every time he went out on track and more competitive,” Rob said.

“When we went out for the second race on Sunday morning he was feeling pretty feisty and was really happy with the car and just drove impeccably to take that first win.

“We are very proud to have him on board and are looking forward to going to Rockingham at the end of August (August 26-27).

“We had strong pace there last year and it should be a good circuit for us. Declan is excited about it and we are excited about it too and we are hoping for another strong result there with Declan and Whitley Neill Gin.”


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