James: “I am very pleased to welcome our latest partner Azanti to JIG Racing. Azanti’s philosophy and their premium non-alcoholic beverages fit perfectly with motorsport. You should never drink alcohol when driving, be it on the road or on the race track, and Azanti’s range of non-alcoholic beverages let you enjoy yourself knowing that you are safe to drive. They are also some of the coolest looking and tasting drinks you will ever have!”

Website: https://www.azanti.co.uk

QUALIFYING
At the season opener of the MINI CHALLENGE JCW at Oulton Park, James pushed Dan Zelos all the way for Pole during Saturday’s qualifying session.

James added: “I’m a bit disappointed with second in truth as I had two other laps where I was at least 0.3s up but caught traffic and got baulked in the final sector on both. But it is what it is, and we’ve got some racing to do on Monday.”

RACE 1
James claimed his maiden MINI CHALLENGE JCW victory in the season opener at Oulton Park after emerging on top of a thrilling three-car battle for the lead in the closing stages.

James: “What a great race, I was getting a little frustrated as I could see Dan (Zelos) was struggling for grip and I was all over him, but couldn’t find a way past. I didn’t actually know he had a penalty until the last few laps, so I thought we were genuinely fighting for the win. I could see Nathan closing in and just though ‘Oh just get on with it!’ and managed to pressure a mistake and get through. The car felt great, so that’s good news for this afternoon.”

James drew the number 6 for the race two reversed grid.

Race 2
James was restricted to second, having taken the best out of his tyres.

“I got put on the grass once or twice, and just couldn’t find a way around Calum (King) for the lead. If I’d got clear I could have been gone, but I just trashed the tyres and couldn’t do anything about Jac (Maybin) near the end. Still, a win, a second and the championship lead isn’t a bad way to start the year!”

In addition James received the Sunoco award for fastest lap of weekend. Not a bad start to the 2019 campaign!

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

Images & Videos by kind courtesy of Mini Challenge & CSUK

Next MINI CHALLENGE UK meeting: 18/19 May – Snetterton 300

Former British GT Champion, James Gornall will be joining the MINI CHALLENGE for the 2019 season, having completed in a couple of rounds last season.

Gornall has been racing cars since 2003 and has enjoyed much success in everything he’s raced including British Formula Renault single seaters, Britcar 24h, British GT Championship and more recently the BMW Compact Cup but the MINI CHALLENGE is his first move to front wheel drive racing.

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