Donington Park GP, Rd.7

Donington Park GP… revisited

Qualifying:

James: “I accelerated and everything felt fine, but when I went to change down from fifth the gearbox just wouldn’t have it,” said Gornall, who cruised back to the pits, where a gear linkage problem was diagnosed. “The linkage had just popped off, so we had to get that fixed, and luckily we had time to get back out and running again“

With just nine minutes of the session to go James’ first flying lap was good enough for second fastest, and his second effort put him on pole. “I definitely didn’t expect the session to end like this, especially with the way it started!” he said. “There was a slight moment of panic, but then it was just a case of getting back out and getting on it. The tyres switch on after a lap around here so it was probably the perfect time to get a lap in. It’s great bonus points for me in the championship.”

Race 1:

James: “I essentially decided to make things interesting by trying to throw it away all on my own. The rear started to slide at the apex, and then the car hit a bump and it was a pretty wild ride from then on. I got back on, but had Dan all over me by that point. There’s an absolute ton of points still to play for this year, so it’s still anybody’s championship. But it is coming down to that point in the season where wins for me are more crucial, and this was a big one. It was a really tough race, not helped by me throwing it off, but luckily I got back on the track in time and did enough to hold on for the win.”

Race 2:

James: “The race was total chaos, and I have no idea how I’m on the podium. It was mad at the start and I really didn’t expect Max to get slowed up so much and it just caught me out. I carried on but wasn’t sure if anything was bent, and then it all kicked off in front of me at the Craner Curves, and I somehow avoided it all. Those last few laps were crazy, too. I made a move on Rory and went across to defend and suddenly there was a hit and then all hell breaks loose. I actually feel really sorry for Nathan. He didn’t deserve that at all.”

Driver Standings: https://www.minichallenge.co.uk/mc-driver-standings/

Images & Videos by kind courtesy of Mini Challenge & CSUK

Next MINI CHALLENGE UK meeting: 19/20 October – Snetterton 300

Brands Hatch GP, Rd.6

Photos: Rd.6, Brands Hatch GP

RACE 1:

RACE 2:

James: “That was really bizarre, but I could see the trouble brewing in front of me, so I had a feeling something was going to happen. It was getting quite feisty between them because they were so close, so I was trying to bide my time but Lee was making life really hard for me and I made a silly mistake which put him right on me and cost me time to the leaders. But it’s a great result and the car definitely felt better in that race… looks like the changes to the flux capacitor really paid off.”

Driver Standings: https://www.minichallenge.co.uk/mc-driver-standings/

Images & Videos by kind courtesy of Mini Challenge & CSUK

Next MINI CHALLENGE UK meeting: 14/15 September – Donington Park GP

BRDC Member

James: “It is with great pleasure that I announce my selection as a Member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club. It has been my ambition to join the Club since I began my journey in motorsport, with membership offered to only a select few and by invitation only.”

“The BRDC is undoubtedly the most exclusive Club in motor racing and it is a privilege to be selected alongside some of the most successful racing drivers from Great Britain and the Commonwealth. I look forward to integrating myself into the Club and wearing the BRDC insignia with pride. I would like to thank all those that have helped me on this incredible journey and with my selection for membership”.

Website: BRDC

Brands Hatch Indy, Rd.5

Photos: Rd.5, Brands Hatch Indy

QUALIFYING:

James qualified P4 and wasn’t at all keen on the way his car was working. James: “It felt like a bag of nails,” he said bluntly. “We probably left too much of a dry setup on it and it was all over the place. It wouldn’t turn in, then it would try to oversteer and I just couldn’t get on the throttle. I got about one good lap, and thank goodness I got that!”

RACE 1:

James celebrates his third victory of this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW campaign during an epic opening race of the Brands Hatch MINI Festival weekend!

James: “That was such a hard race, I had a few massive moments and was on the lock-stops a few times! Ben is so good at defending so I knew I had to take my chance to pass him when I had it, but even when I got past I had a whole bunch of cars pushing me really hard. I really had to work for that. The yellow flags at the end at least meant I wasn’t going to get lunged at that part of the track. But I just had to hold my lines and I’m chuffed to bits with that result.”

RACE 2:

James: “It was a tough race and the start was so close. Dan got a great run on the outside of me into the hairpin and I had to defend hard, but then the rear got loose and we touched and Nathan managed to slip past. It was just one of those things. Then with the safety car Nathan got on the power probably only a tenth of a second sooner than me, but it opened that gap up and there wasn’t much I could do. The car felt OK, but we’re still chasing something in the setup.”

RACE 3:

James: “The car just wasn’t very good in that one, and we have to find out why. I was struggling for grip and got hit a fair few times, so that may have contributed I guess.”

Driver Standings: https://www.minichallenge.co.uk/mc-driver-standings/

Images & Videos by kind courtesy of Mini Challenge & CSUK

Next MINI CHALLENGE UK meeting: 3/4 August – Brands Hatch GP

Donington Park GP, Rd.4

Photos: Rd.4, Donington Park GP

QUALIFYING:

James: “It was a mixed session really, the car felt good and I thought I could have gotten a bit more out of it on my fastest lap, but the tyres just started to drop away on the front. Plus there was a yellow flag out in the last sector for the final few laps, so I kept improving my time in sector one and then slowing for that. I didn’t want to risk a better time under yellows…”

RACE 1:

James: “Fair play to Nathan, he drove a great race, but I was half on the attack at him and half on the defence with Dan because he was really close. I think my front tyres suffered in the middle of the race, but then they came back to me towards the end and I was gearing up for one final attack but my gearbox missed a change out of the hairpin and that was just enough to give him the final gap. Still, it’s another podium and really good points.”

RACE 2:

James: “It’s been a decent weekend, but I wanted that last podium. I had a rubbish start and then had a massive tank-slapper up towards McLeans at one point. It’s a shame to lose the points lead, but there’s still a lot of the season left to go…“

Driver Standings: https://www.minichallenge.co.uk/mc-driver-standings/

Images & Videos by kind courtesy of Mini Challenge & CSUK

Next MINI CHALLENGE UK meeting: 20/21 July – Brands Hatch Indy