Rowan Vincent continued his progression in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship with a couple of impressive battling drives during the third meeting of the season at Knockhill (29/30 August). Following the quick-fire start to his maiden car-racing campaign with back-to-back meetings at the start of the month, Vincent took advantage of a three week break to reflect on the start to his season and prepare for the long trip north to Scotland and a first ever visit to Knockhill. Testing in the days leading up to the event ensured he was up to speed around the fast, undulating circuit ahead of qualifying on Saturday morning. Unfortunately it didn’t quite click for the 15 year old during the session though as he emerged with the 19th fastest time. Vincent knew there was more speed to show in the races however and he started with a strong showing in Saturday’s opener. Bouncing back from a slow start, he was in the thick of the action and battled wheel-to-wheel with his cousin William at one stage on his way to 16th at the finish. The first of Sunday’s two races proved to be a tough one for the teenage talent. On the second lap, he could do nothing to avoid being hit by a driver returning to the circuit. Subsequent front end damage required a couple of pitstops to fix, leading to an 18th place finish. Vincent saved the best for last behind the wheel of his Concreate, V4 Woodflooring and CPP sponsored machine, as he battled it out in front of the live ITV2 television cameras. A great start saw him gain a couple of places on the opening lap to rise to 16th. The Woking based racer fought hard to make his mark in the midfield battles, with some great overtaking moves helping him take the chequered flag in 15th. Ending his weekend on a high, he now prepares to tackle the fastest circuit in the UK, Thruxton, next time out (19/20 September). Rowan Vincent: “Knockhill is not an easy circuit to master and with our testing early in the week taking part in wet conditions, we had to learn the track all over again in the dry on Friday. It was all about making consistent improvements and we did exactly that. “Qualifying didn’t go as well as hoped, but I knew I could put it together in the races. While the second one was disappointing, I really enjoyed races one and three and I’m pleased I could hold my own in the fierce battles and come away with 15th and 16th place finishes. “The racing in the Ginetta Junior Championship is so close and that makes it really exciting to be involved in. My best race was at the end of the weekend, which shows that once again I’m improving every time I go on the track. Thruxton is a different challenge entirely and I’m excited for it.”
Image from Jakob Ebrey Photography.