Ginetta Junior Graduates Share Honours at Opening Races

The two Ginetta Junior graduates into the Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship shone at the opening Championship race weekend of 2008 at Oulton Park last weekend (22nd / 24th March 2008). Both Paul Marsh and Kieran Vernon took a win apiece at the Cheshire circuit in less than ideal conditions.

Paul Marsh secured pole position for both races but spun in round one and dropping down the order. A recovery back to 6th place for Marsh could not be improved upon after a clash with returnee David Jackson on lap 6 dropped Marsh back down again – eventually finishing 9th and retired Jackson to the pits with bodywork damage.

Meanwhile, Vernon diced with eventual second place Paul Sheard and Gary Simms to emerge the winner, although all three shared the lead spot during the 20 minute race.

Oil over much of the track expelled by Russel McCarthy’s damaged engine sump prematurely ended the race for a number of drivers caught out by the slippery surface. Cascades bend had many a Ginetta G20 parked on the outside of the famous bend; Scott Stringfellow and Edd Straw both colliding with Paul Mancey’s stricken car.

It was Vernon who would endure a fight back in the second Texaco Havoline Ginetta Championship race of the Easter weekend after a clutch problem made him stall on the grid as the lights turned to green. A further spin by the young newcomer with guest driver Scott Stringfellow hampered his recovery, but still brought the car home in an impressive top ten finish in his debut race.

Marsh celebrated his first sportscar win in his new Championship despite pressure from the more experienced G20 racers of Julian Barratt and Spencer McCarthy.

Barratt lead briefly in the opening stages and had dropped down as far as 8th place but worked his way through the field to finish on the second step of the podium.