News - Jordan dominates at Thruxton

Thruxton played host to the final meeting of the Ginetta Junior Championship on the 30th September and 1st October 2006. Coming into Thruxton, Jordan lay second in the championship behind James Harrison. The points gap was 38 points and with a maximum score of the weekend being 64 points it was still possible but realistically very difficult to gain the championship lead at the last hurdle.

The meeting was full of unpredictable weather conditions but what ever the conditions Jordan seemed to have the measure over the rest of the drivers. His very effective tutoring from Colin Crabtree, once again allowed Jordan to stay supremely focused and relaxed on the task ahead. The qualifying session started with the track in a wet state but was drying out slowly. Jordan put in some good consistent laps that gave him the pole position start for both races.

Race one started in drier conditions compared to qualifying. Jordan got off the line well but just lost out on the lead going into the first corner to Henry Surtees. However by the next series of corners he gained back the lead. Coming into the fast part of the circuit Jordan made a uncharacteristic mistake as he touched a wet patch at Goodwood bend. Coming off onto the wet grass he was then a passenger as his car headed off into the countryside whilst the rest of the field streamed through. He got back onto the circuit but was now down at the back of the field.

What was too come was hugely exciting and extremely stunning . Jordan recovered all what he had lost and within the race he came from last place back to lead the race with 5 laps to go. A stunning drive that had everyone in the paddock talking. James Harrison finished in a good second position which strengthened his chances of taking the title in the second race. Harrison only now needing to take one point to stop Jordan having any chance of taking the title.

Race two was rather less eventful but Jordan was as dominant as he was in the first race. A lights to flag victory in which his lead was a much as 7 seconds signalled a brilliant end to a very impressive first year in Car racing for the 15 year old. The title went the way of Harrison who started from the pit lane to keep out of trouble and avoid any chance of a non finish, but Jordan impressed many at Thruxton and indeed during the series. The high point of the season was without doubt the huge respect and compliments he was given by the other drivers and their parents as well as the championship organisers in how efficiently Jordan had moved forward to become dominant in the final 4 meetings.

“This season has gone very, very well” said Jordan. “ I only wish that the championship could have been in my favour, the silly incident at Croft really took it away from me, but I am happy with the way the season has gone and how we have really dominated the second half of the season. It just goes to show an effective steam line team like ours, of driver, dad/mechanic and general full time servant, as well as Colin on tutoring, data and mechanic can really stand a chance of doing well. I would like to thank all my sponsors this year especially Colin Marsden at Tamar Valley Ice Cream Products who came this weekend to watch, as well as all our friends who also came this weekend.” “ I would like to say thank you to all at Ginetta and everyone involved with this years series it has been a great year and thoroughly enjoyable. I would recommend that any young driver looking to go into cars, should look at Junior Ginettas. They are very hard cars to drive but once you learn how to handle the challenge it is very rewarding and can stand you in good steed for the rest of your career ”