Will Jenkins has launched his second season in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB with a brilliant pair of podiums finishes from the opening triple-header at Snetterton this past weekend (25-26 May).
With a limited pre-season testing programme under his belt, Jenkins continued to get to grips with his new-for-2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport during the two free practice sessions on Friday, producing encouraging top three pace in the Norfolk sunshine.
The rain rolled in for Saturday though, but Jenkins wasn’t fazed and adapted well to the change of conditions to repeat his top three performance in qualifying. In his Team Parker Racing machine, he secured second on the grid for race one and third for race two.
Conditions improved as the day wore on, which ended up causing Jenkins an issue at the start of race one. Lining up off the racing line on the left-hand side of the grid, his rivals to the right would benefit from a drier line and get a substantial advantage as the lights went out.
Jenkins, who is part of the exciting Young Driver Programme from reigning British Touring Car Championship champions Alliance Racing and Wera Tools, was powerless to prevent himself slipping back to sixth position as they headed into Riches for the first time.
The race was quickly neutralised by a safety car period, but when action resumed he immediately went on the offensive. Impressively fighting past two cars on the same lap, he then hunted down the third-placed contender and was unlucky to just run out of laps before he could challenge for the podium.
The tricky conditions continued for race two on Sunday morning, with Jenkins holding third place through a frenetic opening lap. He attempted a move for second into Riches next time round and briefly got the spot, however he lost out on the exit of the corner and dropped to fourth.
The 19-year-old talent managed to pressure the driver ahead into a mistake later in the lap though and took advantage to grab third place. There was more fortune soon after as another driver made an error, promoting Jenkins up to second at the halfway mark.
As the race progressed he found himself under pressure from behind and put in a spirited defensive drive, though ultimately slipped back to third. The Stone-based driver remained there to the finish though to secure a deserved first podium of the campaign.
The ever-changing British weather led to a wet but potentially drying circuit for the final race of the weekend. Jenkins joined the rest of the field in opting for wet Michelin tyres, but gambled on the car setup to try and take advantage of the track surface improving.
A stunning start to the race saw Jenkins pull off two moves in the first two corners to storm into the lead. He’d slip back to third by the end of the lap however, with a poorly-timed rain shower meaning that he lacked the ultimate grip of his fellow race win contenders.
Jenkins, who is racing with the continued support of personal partners alongside Hopkins Motorsport Ltd, Asset Alliance Group, Reefer Trailer Centre, Culina Group, Thermo King Northern and the Motorsport UK Academy, battled on to the chequered flag and scored his eighth career Porsche podium.
Will Jenkins: “Two podium finishes on the opening weekend is an excellent start to the new season and a good platform to build on going forward. The ever-changing weather made it a real challenge across the three races, so I’m pleased to get three good finishes and plenty of points on the board.
“I’m settling in with the new GT4 RS more every time I get out on track with it, learning the nuances of the car and fine-tuning my driving style to maximise it. There’s naturally still work to do and pace to find, but I’m pleased with how we started the year and look forward to Oulton Park next.”
The 2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge GB season continues next month with three races at Oulton Park over the weekend of 22/23 June.
Image from Porsche GB.
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