Irish Racing Driver Daniel Harper Wins Ginetta Junior Scholarship For 2016
Daniel Harper has today (28/10) secured a fully funded season in the 2016 KICK Start
Energy Drink Ginetta Junior Championship after the 14 year old aspiring racing
driver, from County Down in Northern Ireland, impressed across the board.
65 drivers took part in driving, media and fitness assessments over the three day
event, during which each competitor received one-on-one driver tuition from BTCC
racing drivers Adam Morgan and Tom Ingram, as well as Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup
race winner, Bradley Smith and British GT driver, Jody Fannin; a fantastic reward in
itself.
23 drivers made it through to the finale and after a delayed start due to heavy
rain, the drivers were given one run in which to impress the judges. The group was
then cut to 12 drivers, where they each completed three timed laps without
instruction.
Daniel was joined by Seb Priaulx and Harry King in the final test, which saw all
three drivers set a ‘hot lap’ alongside Ginetta Factory Driver Mike Simpson. Keeping
his cool under pressure and putting everything he had learnt into practice, Daniel
once again impressed.
Taking into account his development as a driver over the course of the competition,
Daniel accepted his prize from outgoing scholar Stuart Middleton, with Seb Priaulx
finishing as runner up.
2016 Ginetta Junior Scholar Daniel Harper said; “It’s been a fantastic week for me,
I’ve really enjoyed every moment of it. I still can’t believe I have got this far
and won! Thank you to all the staff who have helped me this week, especially the
instructors who have brought my driving on so much in so little time. I’m now
looking forward to putting everything I’ve learnt into practice.”
Chief Instructor Tom Ingram said; “A very tough few days for all the Ginetta Junior
Scholarship drivers, with rain and changeable track conditions putting added
pressure on our finalists. It was a very close call between the final three, with
each quite deserving in their own right. In the end, I think Daniel is a very worthy
winner, and I look forward to watching his first race at Brands Hatch in 2016.”
Ginetta Championships Manager Ashley Gallagher added; “Once again the Ginetta Junior
Scholarship has unearthed a whole host of talented racing drivers from a range of
motorsport backgrounds. It’s unfortunate that we can only choose one winner at the
end of such a great competition and we wish each of our entrants all the best in
their motorsport career.”
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