James Gornall, Peterboroughs' rising star of the motor racing world has set a new official lap record in his opening race of the season at Silverstone on Easter bank holiday Monday. This was James' debut race, in this his first season of the BARC Formula Renault single seater Championship following his graduation from top level karting in 2002.

2001 TKM British Karting Champion James, finished in a strong 4th place, following a 10 lap battle between the first 5 leading cars, where places changed every lap. James' response after the race, " I am really pleased with this result especially as a rookie amongst drivers with at least a years single seater car racing experience. To be honest I was not sure how it was going to go, as it was all so very new. I managed to pass 2 cars into the first corner, after my first standing start, but lost 1 place back to 4th in the corner. After then the 5 of us pulled away from the main field and it was very close all the way to the flag. I had a few moments with the car, and at one point dropped back to 5th. It was all very close on the last couple of laps, and any one of us could have won. I was delighted to find out from my team, JA Motorsport that I had had the fastest lap of the race and that it was a new lap record. This gives me a solid start to the Championship from which I can build. I am looking forward to the next round at Pembrey , Wales, in early May." 

James' team mate at JA Motorsport, Aaron Stroud, after a strong start and leading the race for a few laps came in 5th, behind James. 

Comment from James' current main sponsor, Dad, Ian, " An excellent result from his first race. James has yet again proved just how good he is. He will only get better and has a lot more to give yet".