Preptech UK brought the curtain down on its racing programme with victory in the final round of the 2024 Ginetta Junior Championship at Brands Hatch.
The Hampshire-based outfit headed for the iconic Grand Prix circuit looking to replicate the podium pace displayed in the previous event at Donington Park, where Henry Joslyn had battled to the team’s tenth podium finish of the campaign.
Pre-event testing around the shorter Indy layout had seen Joslyn top the times, with team-mate Ethan Carney just outside the top ten to leave confidence high going into the race weekend itself.
Now running on the full layout of the Kent circuit, Joslyn battled his way to third on the grid in qualifying, with Carney setting the 16th best time ahead of his first race meeting at the famous venue.
The opening race on Saturday evening saw Joslyn make a fine start to jump into second spot on the run to Paddock Hill Bend before engaging in battle with Isaac Phelps for the lead of the race.
As Joslyn looked to get ahead, title contender Chase Fernandez made it a three-way fight for top spot and fought his way into second at Hawthorn on lap four. Although Charlie Hart briefly demoted Joslyn down to fourth with a forceful move at turn one, he reclaimed third when Fernandez ran off track and then moved back into second when Hart went off whilst battling for the lead.
Joslyn held station from that point on despite huge pressure from behind, whilst further down the order, Carney was involved in a huge battle of his own that saw him finish in 16th having fought hard with Harry Moss and Jack Robinson throughout.
Race two on Sunday morning saw Joslyn line up sixth on the grid, with Carney starting in 15th and it would prove to be another action-packed race for the pair.
Forced off across the gravel at turn one at the start, Joslyn dropped back to ninth and picked up damage to the rear of his car – with the rear splitter ripped off as he rejoined the circuit.
Despite that damage, Joslyn fought hard to climb back through the field to fourth place and was just inches away from grabbing a podium in a battle with Fernandez that went all the way to the wire, with the pair split by just 0.007s at the flag.
Carney faced similar battles in the midfield and would end up taking the flag in 15th place, lapping four-tenths of a second quicker than he had in race one the previous evening.
The season finale saw Joslyn start from fourth on the grid with Carney in 15th, with Joslyn soon into third and battling for the lead. Dicing for position with Hart and Fernandez after seeing off the challenge of Archie Clark, Joslyn saw his chance to grab the lead as the pair ahead fought for position – sliding down the inside on the run to Druids at the start of lap nine.
Joslyn held on from there to secure an impressive victory to round out the campaign, with Carney scoring his best result of the weekend in 14th having been at the tail of a train of cars fighting for a top ten result.
A fourth win of the campaign was the perfect way for the team to sign off from its time competing in the series, with news on future plans to be revealed in due course.
Henry Joslyn, #26 Ginetta G40 said:
“After car issues at Donington it was great to return to Brands Hatch and have good pace throughout testing and the racing. It was fantastic to win the final race of the season and a great way to thank Oliver and the team for everything they have done for me over the past 2 years.”
“Unfortunately despite leading early on, the championship slipped away from us in the mid-season. But with multiple wins, podiums in half the races, pole positions and numerous fastest laps, I hope I have proven what I am capable of.”
Ethan Carney, #53 Ginetta G40 said:
“Having only tested on the GP circuit once, it was always going to be a struggle at Brands given the limited practice we had across the year, but worked hard to get a handle on it and am looking forward to going back next year as it’s a super track to drive.”
“I would like to thank Preptech for the support across my first year in cars and wish Ollie all the very best in his next endeavors.”
Oliver Barnard, Team Principal, said:
“After a tricky Donington meeting we were back into the mix this weekend at Brands Hatch. It was nice to top all of Friday’s test sessions again, it has been a while since we achieved that. Qualifying was ok but not quite what we expected, the racing on the other hand was spectacular with amazing tv coverage once again after some exciting racing. It was great to round out our season and final Ginetta Junior race with a race win, what a way to bow out of the series.”
“A huge thanks must go to our customers, staff and drivers for their hard work and loyalty throughout the season. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Preptech UK as our company looks to take a different direction as we step away from some Motorsport commitments. I feel we really caused a stir in the championship this season and proved hard work along with determination can get you to the front of one of the toughest UK Championships.”
