Monday 6th June 2005
Jonathan Kennard went one better than last weekend with a superb second place in today's opening race of the British F3 Championship at Thruxton, Hampshire. The 19 year-old reigning FPA Champion and BRDC Rising Star went on to take fifth in the second to consolidate his sixth place in the championship points standing.
"I'm really pleased with the result," said Jonathan. "After securing my first podium at Knockhill with third, it's great to go one better and take second." Alan Docking Racing team boss Alan Docking was also quick to praise the performance of his young charge. "He's driving really well now, he's learning all the time and really drove a sensible, steady first race. He's now fighting back and working hard to hold his position and really looks the part."
Race one saw him start from second on the grid, his highest start of the season but at the lights excessive wheelspin bogged him down, enabling a fast starting Barton Mawer and Salvador Duran to get the jump. With the lead duo battling amongst themselves, Jonathan was able to close the gap and for several laps they enjoyed a three-way battle for the lead.
This enabled Hollings to close the gap and soon Josh Fisher joined the battle, and when Duran was forced into retirement, Jonathan moved into second. Despite coming under immense pressure from Hollings, he held his ground and the place to cross the line five and half seconds behind Mawer and just ahead of Hollings.
"I got too much wheelspin at the start which allowed Mawer and Duran to get past me and Hollings although I still had a reasonable opening lap because I got past Hollings at the chicane. Then I was able to fight with Duran and Mawer but soon I had Hollings right behind me so I had to watch my back too. We had a really good dice for most of the race, and it was very enjoyable, clean and tidy, just how racing should be."
The second race had Jonathan start third but at the lights he again had problems off the line and dropped down to fifth. A safety car incident on the opening lap bunched up the pack and when the race restarted four laps later, Jonathan moved into fourth after overtaking Fisher into the chicane although he was later passed by Duran to drop him back to fifth.
"I nearly stalled off the line and I lost two places. The car's handling just wasn't right, particularly through the high speed corners and I had a massive vibration through the steering wheel, despite never having locked up the tyres, so I think a wheel weight may have come off.
It's a disappointing end to the day, I was really pleased after an excellent race one and thought we could have a win in the second, but that's how it works out sometimes. It is good to know that I am getting faster every time I get out in the car and now I look forward to Castle Combe, one of my favourite tracks."
Results of Race 1 (16 Laps)
1. Barton Mawer Dallara F304 Mugen-Honda 18:39.297
2. JONATHAN KENNARD Dallara F304 Mugen-Honda 18:44.704
3. Charlie Hollings Lola-Dome F106/4 Mugen-Honda 18:44.857
4. Josh Fisher Dallara F304 Mugen-Honda 18:46.554
5. Juho Annala Dallara F304 Mugen Honda 18:50.318
6. Ricardo Teixeira Dallara F304 Mugen-Honda 18:53.396
Fastest lap: Hollings 1:08.649 123.55mph (198.83 kph)
Results of Race 2 (16 Laps)
1. Barton Mawer Dallara F304 Mugen-Honda 20:49.767
2. Charlie Hollings Lola-Dome F106/4 Mugen Honda 20:54.462
3. Juho Annala Dallara F304 Mugen-Honda 20:58.923
4. Salvador Duran Dallara F304 Mugen-Honda 21:01.034
5. JONATHAN KENNARD Dallara F304 Mugen-Honda 21:02.506
6. Ricardo Teixeira Dallara F304 Mugen-Honda 21:16.607
Fastest lap: Mawer 1:08.093 124.55mph (200,45kph)
Championship points after eight races
1. Barton Mawer 132
2. Salvador Duran 90
3. Charlie Hollings 89
4. Josh Fisher 77
5. Juha Annala 74
6. JONATHAN KENNARD 71
7. Ricardo Teixeira 31
8. Nick Jones 27
9. Cheong Lou Meng 11
10.Suk Sandher 10
The new Jonathan Kennard website is now up-and-running at www.jonathankennard.com.