Bye bye Rookie... hello Championship leader!

For James rounds 4 and 5 of the BARC Formula Renault Championships could not come soon enough. The Saturday and Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend saw a double-header at Croft, near Darlington in North Yorkshire, where on James' last visit he had broken the lap record in private testing with JA Motorsport.


James awaits the start of Round 5 at Croft

After his outstanding maiden race-winning performance at Pembrey two weeks ago, James arrived at Croft as the Championship leader, with a small but satisfying 1-point cushion over his rivals. By the time he went home on Sunday evening that "cushion" had been extended to 15-points, which effectively means he has the maximum points from one round now has an advantage!

So what did James do at Croft? Truthfully, his performances from both finals were quite extraordinary! Timed qualifying provided the first answer when, in two separate sessions, he set pole position for both races… And the races? Two fastest laps! Two new lap records (was 1:23.68s, but now reduced to 1:22.38s!) And two more outstanding victories in both races.


The charge to Clervaux!

In the first race James made an excellent start to win from lights to flag, whilst the second race bore simple testimony to his overtaking ability, after an impressive move on his team-mate who had led the earlier laps. "I needed to prove that I could win from behind as well as from the front," he said with that cheeky smile!

It now means that from the opening five races of the BARC Formula Renault Championship, James has taken the fastest lap in every race, set three new lap records, taken three pole positions, (but which as we know should have been four - see Pembrey), and 'lost' his novice plates by virtue of six signatures on his licence (including one for marshalling at Rockingham).


James enjoys the double victory!

Back in the paddock after winning the second final with consummate ease, the reception that James received was quite emotional, with tears from his family, and his race engineer. Often perceived as a clinical sport, this 'human' side from the Gornall family and J A Motorsport was refreshing. But to complete his weekend, and as mentioned earlier, James performed the ceremonial duties of cutting away his novice plate, the yellow plate with black cross, from the rear of his car. James Gornall is now a proper racing driver!

The Cheshire circuit at Oulton Park for Round 6 of the series on the 28th June 2003 is next.