Jamie Caroline takes Thruxton podium for Pirtek

Uncategorised,Racing

Pirtek Racing’s Jamie Caroline used all of his race craft to battle through to third place in round six of the KICK Start Energy Ginetta Junior Championship at Thruxton over the weekend (9/10 May). After qualifying only 12th, he raced superbly at the high-speed track to finish fourth and then third in the pair of races.

Caroline, 16 years-old, has been selected by Pirtek Racing and Andrew Jordan for support in the series for young racers and is among the key championship contenders with the HHC Motorsport squad. However, qualifying did not go entirely to plan for Jamie as he was unable to get a slipstream from another car and was left further down the grid than he wanted to be.

In the first race he battled up to finish fourth and fended off a strong challenge from Billy Monger over the closing laps. However, a lengthy safety car period cost him the time he needed to chase after the three leaders. “That was better,” said Jamie after the first race. “The safety car was unfortunate, but that’s racing.”

Race two started with more incident and drama and Jamie was badly delayed at the Complex. “Two cars spun in front of me on the first lap and I had to go right out over the grass to avoid them. I dropped back to eighth or ninth. Then we had two safety cars so we didn’t have many clear racing laps. I was right behind the two leaders and went for second at the last corner. It was very close!”

His charging recovery took Jamie right into contention with race leaders Sophia Floersch and Monger and he was able to attack Monger for second place at the last corner. “It was a good result for the championship as I finished ahead of some of the key contenders. But I want to be fighting for race wins.”

Jamie now lies fifth in the points after the first six races of the season and heading into a four-week break before the schedule continues at Oulton Park on 6/7 June.

Pirtek is Europe’s number one provider of hydraulic solutions and mobile hose replacement, with over 170 centres supported by over 700 mobile service workshops throughout Europe. Offering solutions to a number of business sectors, including the automotive industry.