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Ginetta Junior Championship leader Dino Zamparelli continued his relentless
march towards the 2008 title with yet another race victory on Sunday, 18th May,
during the 10th round of the season.
Racing in front of a large Hampshire crowd at the country’s fastest motor
racing venue, Thruxton near Andover, Zamparelli nosed ahead at the start of the
race from pole position and was never headed as he strolled to a six second
victory margin over closest championship rival Tom Carnaby.
In a reversal of the second and third steps of the podium from Saturday’s
ninth round, Dominic Pettit ended the race behind Carnaby after a decisive move
by the latter at Club Chicane on the final lap.
Fourth position for Daniel Lloyd, from sixth on the grid, was enough to see
him overhaul Josh Hill for third position in the title chase while Fergus
Walkinshaw took fifth ahead of Aaron Williamson.
Speaking after the race, Zamparelli said: “I knew I had to put in some
consistent laps early on, which I did, and that allowed me to pull away from
Dominic (Pettit) and ultimately win. It’s always good to score points and to
take wins so I’m very happy.”
Early on in the race, Jake Farndon looked as though he stood a good chance
of trying to challenge Zamparelli – or at the least claim a podium – but a lap
two spin at Campbell saw him plummet down the order. An inspired recovery drive
enabled him to climb into seventh place before the finish though.
The fight for second between Carnaby and Pettit provided good entertainment
for the duration of the race. Straight-lining the chicane on lap three, Pettit
moved to the head of the battle but Carnaby regained the place as they headed
through the complex at the start of lap four.
On the fifth tour, Pettit took the advantage through Allard after Carnaby
comprised his start to the lap by getting slightly out of shape on the exit of
the chicane. Before long, the order changed again but this scrap looked set to
go down to the final corner, which it did, with Carnaby crossing the line just
half a second clear of his rival.
“I definitely needed that second place”, said Carnaby at the conclusion of
round 10, “It was a good race but very hard to try and catch the leader when
he’s out on his own and you’re having to defend your position. I’m happy
though.”
As on Saturday, Alice Powell produced an excellent damage limitation
performance with a top 10 result having started at the back of the grid. Like
Josh Hill, Powell had to start both of the weekend’s races from the last row due
to the fact she was using a spare car for the race following an accident on
Saturday.
Making an absolutely electric start and hooking up a thoroughly impressive
opening lap, Powell moved into eighth place on lap two and although slipping
back behind Casey Watson and the recovering Farndon late on, 10th place was
still a great return. Hill, meanwhile, did a good job to drive an unfamiliar car
to 12th place at the chequered flag.
The fastest lap of the race, and the additional bonus point, went to Pettit
for his time of 1m 35.586 seconds (88.73mph). Carnaby’s best from Saturday
afternoon’s ninth round remained unbeaten though so he still holds the new
circuit lap record.
Rounds 11 and 12 of the 2008 Ginetta Junior Championship season will take
place just two weeks from now on 31st May/1st June at Croft Circuit in North
Yorkshire – very much a home venue for Ginetta Cars with the company
headquarters situated just over 60 miles away in Garforth, Leeds.
Provisional 2008 Ginetta Junior Championship Positions (after
Rd10)
1st Dino Zamparelli, 320pts; 2nd Thomas Carnaby, 232pts; 3rd
Daniel Lloyd, 183pts; 4th Josh Hill, 176pts; 5th Dominic Pettit, 169pts; 6th
Jake Farndon, 166pts
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