A red flag interrupted the qualifying session which meant that I could only qualify in 7th place.
Race One
For the first time this season, the stewards swapped all the ECU’s around before the start of the race. He got off the starting line badly. For some reason the wheels lit up and he sat there on the spot, wheel spinning to the back of the grid. Undeterred, he fought back to 7th position from last place and remained in the lead of the championship, with Carnaby finishing in 4th place.
Quote from Dino: “I was really surprised by our poor start as the only thing that has changed in the last race is the ECU. However, I knew I just had to get my head down and concentrate on the championship. I made some really good moves up the inside without risking anything. I was happy to see Carnaby finishing in 4th and I’m looking forward for the show down tomorrow.”
Race Two
Dino moderated his start and got a much better start this time. Then, after settling down in the opening few laps, he started to mount a bid for the title. Lying in 7th place, he overtook Hill on the inside at Paddock Hill bend. A couple of laps later, he overtook Lloyd for 5th place at Druids, forcing him wide. Then, his team-mate, Alice Powell, let him through a lap later. After that, he caught up with Richardson and Carnaby. On lap ten, he put pressure on Richardson, who then lost it on the exit of Paddock Hill bend. Dino followed Carnaby home to take third place and the championship!
Quote from Dino: “Wow! That race, I think represented everything I’ve done this year. That was sort of my conclusion. I raced hard, made a comeback, made some really nice moves and kept my head under moments of pressure. To be on the podium in the final round was what I really wanted so I could celebrate with a cup and some champagne! I wasn’t happy with my performance in race one as I felt it was too scrappy. However, I re-focused and knew I had to calm down for today’s race. I learnt from my mistakes and produced a much better display for race two. I picked off the competition one by one without making any mistakes.
“I’m so glad to have become the Ginetta Junior Champion of 2008! For me, it’s a dream come true and a mission complete in terms of my goal at the start of the season. It’s been a really good series and I’ve learned so much. The fact that I was only 15 years old throughout this season, meaning I wasn’t able to do any track days to learn the circuits. Chief rival Tom Carnaby had the luxury of testing when he wanted as he was a year older than me and in Britain you have to be 16 to test. However, I used this to my advantage and took out all the positives in everything I did. All the mistakes I made, I made sure I didn’t repeat and moved on from it.
“A massive thanks to everyone in my team - Muzz race for all the work they’ve done throughout the season. I really couldn’t have done it without them. Also thanks to my team mates, Jake Rattenbury and Alice Powell for their support throughout the year. Finally, thank you to all my sponsors, Bottelino’s, Tyres Direct UK and Primatist Yachts.
“For now, I’m just looking forward to enjoying this moment! After that, we’ll think about 2009, where I hope to compete in a single-seater championship.”