James Harrison shrugged off a disappointing qualifying session to take a win and a second place in two scorching PlayStation Ginetta GT Junior championship races at Silverstone. As a result of his performances he’s now opened up a 14-point advantage at the top of the standings with one half of the season complete.

The youngster from Chepstow was unstoppable in race one, starting on the outside of row three of the grid he stormed past five cars to lead going into turn one, an advantage he continued to build on as the laps counted down.

Jordan Williams, who qualified in pole, tried to stay with Harrison but just couldn’t match his pace and had to be content with second. A great duel for third place between Luciano Bacheta and Henry Surtees went all the way to the wire with the pair swapping places continually, Bacheta taking the final podium position by less than three tenths of a second as they crossed the line. Dominic Lakeman-Petit had also been involved early on in a three-way battle for third place but he suffered a mistake on lap ten and dropped down the field as a result.

As the race drew to a close, and Bacheta and Surtees tussled around Silverstone’s National circuit, they were being hunted down by both Robert Gaffney and James Jefferson, who’d battled for fifth place in the latter stages of the race. They too had swapped positions early on but it was Gaffney who had the upper hand as the chequered flag was waved.

Michal Rzadkiewicz had been a contender in the early part of the race but couldn’t maintain his pace and had dropped to seventh, a position he held onto despite a spin on lap twelve.

Elsewhere Tom Sharp fought back strongly despite a moment on lap two which saw him lose four places and he eventually finished eighth behind Rzadkiewicz and less than a second quicker than Cassey Watson who took ninth.

Ashley Bird and Jade Edwards crossed the line tenth and eleventh respectively to complete the finishers.

Out at front though there was no catching Harrison who took the flag a massive fifteen seconds ahead of Williams.

“I struggled in the wet during qualifying,” admitted James after the race. “I had trouble getting my lines right and that cost about 3 seconds a lap so being on row 3 was a bit of a disappointment but I managed to make up for it during the race. I knew I had to make a great start. I've been confident with them all year I felt good going into the race and getting into the lead so early was good. I ran quick here last year so I'm pleased to go well again.”

Despite not being able to get close to James, Jordan Williams was content to take second.

“It wasn't too bad a start compared to what I've had this year,” said Jordan, “but James just gets off the line superbly. The car didn't come in as quick as I'd have liked and by the time I was up to speed James was gone. I was on my own in second place for the majority of the race so I didn't have to think about anyone else, just drive my own race and I've bagged a lot of points so I'm happy.”

“About six laps from the end I thought I was running out of fuel,” said a relived Luciano Bacheta in third. “I was getting fuel surge and I had to defend heavily. I was lucky to get third. In fact I was lucky to finish every lap towards the end, I thought Henry was going to come past me, he'd come alongside but I thankfully I held him off.”

Another blinding start from row three by James Harrison in race two again saw him lead into turn one however this time Jordan Williams made sure he didn’t get away on his own and kept him in his sights as they tore their way around the circuit.

Also Luciano Bacheta and Henry Surtees were at it hammer and tong again as they squabbled for third place.

The fastest man on the track though was Williams and by lap five he’d drawn right up on the rear end of Harrison and just three laps later he made his move forcing his way through to take the lead. Harrison hit back immediately and regained the advantage on lap nine but then conceded again to Williams on the next circuit.

Under pressure from Harrison on lap eleven, Williams went off-track for a moment, slipping back to second in the process but just two laps later he made his move and regained the lead.

Henry Surtees hopes of third place fizzled out when he lost a couple of places, slipping back to sixth, a position he never recovered from despite a tremendous battle for fourth spot with Dominic Lakeman-Petit and Rob Gaffney.

As the race drew to a close Harrison did his utmost to get past Williams to take control of the race once more but Williams defended superbly to take the win and the full compliment of points.

“That was a hell of a race,” said Jordan. “Compared to the first race we changed a few things on the car and I got my act together that time. It's great to get my first win especially considering how far off I was. It's put me right back in championship mode so we'll see how we go from here.”

“I’m slightly disappointed about that,” admitted James. “It was a good race, a lot of fun. I was trying to line Jordan up on the last lap on the back straight but he defended well enough that I had to take to the grass, which was interesting!”

Luciano Bacheta drove a solid race to take third.

“The car was great but I feel I was really, really slow,” said Luciano. “I couldn't get myself going properly. It was not as action packed for me as the first race, I had a good dice with Henry early on but then he disappeared so I just then watched the two in front of me pull away.”

Gaffney crossed the line fourth ahead of Lakeman-Petit and Surtees, James Jefferson was seventh following a great scrap with Tom Sharp who had to eventually settle for eighth.

Cassey Watson again ended in ninth position ahead of Jade Edwards, Ashley Bird and first-time competitor George Richardson respectively. Michal Rzadkiewicz retired on lap five.

RACE 1 RESULT RACE TWO RESULT

1. James Harrison 1. Jordan Williams
2. Jordan Williams 2. James Harrison
3. Luciano Bacheta 3. Luciano Bacheta

PROVISIONAL PLAYSTATION GINETTA CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE

1. James Harrison 165
2. Jordan Williams 151
3. Henry Surtees 140
4. Robert Gaffney 93
5. Dm Lakeman-Petit 79
6. Tom Sharp 64