After a 6 week break, the Ginetta Junior Championship’s newest team Douglas Motorsport were keen to get back in action at Oulton Park with Niall Murray and Andrew Watson. Having already tasted victory in the opening two weekends of the championship at Brands Hatch & Donington Park with Niall Murray along with championship novice Andrew Watson also tasting success with a podium finish in Donington, they were keen to sample further success at Oulton Park.
Murray put his car 4th on the grid for race 1 and a superb start allowed him to challenge right from the off. On lap 4 he managed to find a way past main rival Charlie Robertson before passing Pepe Massot to move into the lead on lap 8. A superb run to the finish earned Niall his 3rd win of the season and with it the fastest lap of the race which also earned him the class lap record. Andrew Watson started the race from 6th on the grid but disaster struck with an off on lap 7 leaving his team with a lot of work to do to get him back out for Sunday’s race 2.
Starting again from 4th on the grid for race 2, Murray was brimming with confidence and knew he had what it took to win again. A strong start off the line put Niall up to third until the red flags came out to rescue Ricki Collard’s car from the barrier. The race was shortened to 6 laps with the original grid line up and Murray once again got a superb start to move into 2nd behind leader Massot out of the first corner. Two corners later Murray had found a way past and now lead the race. Despite challenges from Robertson and later Sennan Fielding, Murray oozed confidence at the front of the field and controlled his lead to the end crossing the line with his fist in the air in celebration at another victory and with it the championship lead. Team novice driver Andrew Watson started from 6th and was running as high as 4th before contact with Ollie Chadwick bent the steering on the car which was a cruel blow for the young Northern Irish driver who could have easily challenged for podium honours.
Team Principal Wayne Douglas expressed his delight at their best weekend so far this season, “starting the year with a win in Brands Hatch was just the start we hoped for and it hasn’t stopped since then. Between Niall and Andrew we’ve been on the podium at every round this year and this double victory for Niall is now the highlight of our season so far. We certainly hope it continues!”
The Douglas Motorsport team now begins their preparations for rounds 9 & 10 of the Ginetta Junior
Championship where they move to Croft in 2 weeks time.