Jack Mitchell and his Airwaves Racing backed Ginetta G40 secured the 2014 Ginetta Junior Championship title in front of a home crowd at Brands Hatch.
With Jack needing to score just one point to clinch the championship title heading into the weekend, the Wrotham-based driver once again displayed impressive race-craft and maturity far beyond his 16 years in difficult qualifying conditions to claim pole – securing the 2014 title in the process.
“I’m over the moon” commented an overjoyed Mitchell; “I just can’t believe it. All the team have put in so much hard work over the year to get me where I am today and my friends and family are here this weekend to give me a lot of support so it’s good to end the season here on a high with them all here.”
Having claimed the 2014 title with an incredible 62 point lead, Jack now turns his attention to delivering another strong performance in tomorrow’s season closer to assist his JHR developments squad with its challenge on the Teams’ Championship title hopes. “My aim tomorrow is to go out there and help my team JHR developments and my team-mates to get as high a place as possible and score as many points as possible for the Teams’ Championship” added Jack.
As part of the Motorbase Performance young driver programme this season, Jack has benefited from additional support both in the form of the Airwaves Racing branding seen on his G40 this year and also behind the scenes with help both on and off the track from the Wrotham-based outfit. The highpoint of this support has culminated with Team Principal David Bartrum today confirming that Jack’s title success is to be rewarded with a test in the Airwaves Racing Ford Focus ST touring car in the coming weeks.
“It’s amazing really, it’s what I’ve dreamed of doing from a young age and I can’t wait!” said an elated Mitchell. “The fastest thing I’ve ever been out in before is a Ginetta junior car so it’s going to be a big jump up going into the Focus touring car, but I’m looking forward it.” The 2014 Ginetta Junior Champion added; “I’d like to thank JHR for all their hard work this year, Motorbase for giving me all the support – they’ve given me a lot of confidence this season, and obviously my Mum and Dad for their support and also Phil Glew for helping me out at the tracks this year.”
Looking ahead to next season, the Kent teenager has confirmed that he’s keeping his options open, commenting; “We’re not too sure yet about next year yet. We’ve got some tests at the end of the year to help us decide what we want to do. But at the end of the day I’ve got to something that I enjoy as well – it’s such a big commitment; you need to enjoy your racing.”
Motorbase Performance and Airwaves Racing Team Principal David Bartrum was full of praise for 16 year old Mitchell, adding; “I’ve watched Jack all year and he’s done a really, really good job. The first half of the season he went all out to win the championship, the second half he went out and drove very conservatively to make sure that he won the championship and it’s been very frustrating at times for him I should think to be holding back. But now he’s won it, he can enjoy the race tomorrow and I think that’s the most important thing. He’s showed good control of the season and done a very mature job.”
Commenting on the forthcoming touring car test, the Motorbase Team Boss added: “He’s local to us, we know his Dad Terry very, very well and it’s nice to see a local champion. It was always in my mind to have him test the Focus if he showed the maturity – which he has done. To take a youngster from a Ginetta Junior and to put him straight in a touring car, you’ve got to know that their head’s right. He’s definitely a very mature lad for his age and I’m looking forward to him testing the Motorbase Ford and to see how he gets on.”
Jack and his JHR-run, Airwaves Racing liveried Ginetta G40 will be back in action for the final race of the 2014 Ginetta Junior Championship season at noon tomorrow (Sunday) with live coverage on ITV4 and ITV.com.
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