Will Jenkins saw brilliant pace only rewarded with a single podium finish as he faced double disappointment during a luckless Porsche Sprint Challenge GB weekend at Croft (27-28 July).
Jenkins made the trip to North Yorkshire in a confident mood following a brilliant start to his second season in one-make Porsche racing, having secured four podium finishes from the opening six races at Snetterton and Oulton Park.
The Staffordshire-based racer headed into the event determined to add more silverware to his collection and started off strongly in his Team Parker Racing prepared Porsche Cayman, producing top three pace in both of Friday’s free practice sessions.
Jenkins, who is part of the exciting Young Driver Programme from reigning British Touring Car Championship champions Alliance Racing and Wera Tools, backed that up with a great run in qualifying the next morning as he finished second fastest overall.
A grid penalty for the quickest driver though meant that Jenkins lined up from pole position for the opening race soon after. Holding position through a typically busy first lap, he soon found himself under pressure from Croft expert Max Coates.
The duo enjoyed some brilliant wheel-to-wheel racing over the next few laps, with the lead unfortunately changing hands at the halfway mark of the race. Jenkins continued fighting for the podium from there, however there would be heart-break on the penultimate lap of the race.
Running side-by-side with Ethan Hammerton into the first corner, contact between their rear wheels dramatically pitched Jenkins into the air and sent him hard into the barriers. As well as cruelly denying him a podium finish, the incident also put his participation in race two a couple of hours later in doubt.
A simply phenomenal effort from the Team Parker Racing crew though ensured he could take the start, and while the car was far from perfect, the 19-year-old talent was able to reward their hard work with a brilliant performance as he held second place from start-to-finish.
Jenkins hoped to double his podium tally in the final race the next day in front of the live ITV4 television cameras, lining up second on the grid. Unfortunately heading through the first corner another driver had a moment, with resulting contact between them immediately ending Jenkins’ race with a burst radiator.
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, remains fourth in the championship standings at the halfway point of the season.
Will Jenkins: “It’s hard to put into words just how frustrating this weekend has been. Our pace was fantastic from the off and there was so much promise going into the races, but luck deserted us and it’s gutting to come away with only one podium result.
“It’s a very competitive championship with proper, close racing on track, and sadly two racing incidents ended my races while the other drivers carried on unscathed. Motorsport can be very cruel sometimes and it was just one of those weekends for us.
“I have to say a huge thank you to everyone at Team Parker Racing. The way they came together after race one to repair a heavily damaged car in just a couple of hours to get me out on the grid for race two was awesome to watch and a testament to the hard work and skill of the team.
“The car was a real handful to drive as there simply wasn’t time to fix every issue, so to hold second throughout was definitely one of my best drives in Porsche’s so far. I’m pleased I could reward the team’s efforts with a podium finish and I’m determined to get more silverware next time out.”
The 2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge GB season continues next month with three races on the Donington Park Grand Prix circuit over the weekend of 24-25 August.
Image from Porsche GB.
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