EVESHAM’S Olly Turner experienced mixed fortunes on his BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship debut in rounds one and two at Brands Hatch in Kent.
The teenager, supported by Amber Motorhomes and Jordan RV, was among 15 juniors in action in the competition for 14 to 17-year-olds.
He showed pace and lap times on the Friday test day that would put him mid-pack. Saturday free practice was similar with promising times and good experience for the young racer.
The afternoon’s qualifying on new tyres was disappointing for Turner as he ended in the gravel after lap one of the important timed laps.
This meant Turner was to start at the rear of the grid for Sunday’s race one. This is not where the #22 Goodsign.co.uk car should have been but, nonetheless, after a late night on the Saturday correcting the car and removing some sizeable rocks from the radiator, Turner was ready to overcome some rookie doubts and start working hard.
Race one began with a cracking start from Turner, moving up two places before the first corner of Paddock Hill bend.
On the second corner Turner was tucked up on the inside and, after some contact, came through Druids and Graham Hill bend in a good position to start catching those who were placed ahead in practice.
However, after gaining good ground and just when tyres were starting to heat, disaster struck on lap five, ending the race for #22.
On the exit of clearways, Turner lost all power and had to pull into the pit lane knowing something was very wrong with the Fiesta.
The race was on then to repair a drive shaft before the second race. Jam Sport Racing and father Alec did a great job and it was repaired and race-prepared in good time.
Samco Sport-backed Turner starting at the rear again, but had confidence knowing fine steps forward can be made from this position.
By lap six, Turner had passed four drivers and was on the hunt with JamSport team-mate Burton to gain ground on more experienced drivers ahead.
With improving rhythm he found extra pace, but an unfortunate clip of the grass into Clearways caused Turner to spin and lose all those places gained.
Thankfully no harm was done and Turner set off again to see where he could finish with half the race time left.
Turner was a long way behind the cars ahead but, with warm tyres and fierce determination, the Power Maxed #22 closed up and moved ahead of two drivers to finish tenth.
Although dissatisfied with the result, the team were very satisfied with the race experience achieved in advance of round three and four at Cadwell Park on May 6/7.