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Alibhai Fights Hard at Donington Ginetta Junior Opener

South African Aqil Alibhai had a busy weekend at the opening round of the 2022 British Ginetta Junior championship at Donnington Park, England on Saturday. The Ormonde, Johannesburg driver qualified eighth for the opening two races, before leaving the circuit sitting in eighth in a tight early championship chase. But what happened in between all those eighth places was far busier than those results suggest. 

“Well, the wait for the first race of the season was finally over and there were a few butterflies!” Aqil explained. “Unfortunately we had an engine issue in Friday practice and had to fit a spare, which lacked my race engine's power,. "That put us on the back foot all weekend., so all considered, qualifying went OK and I put it eighth on both the first and second race grids. “The first race brought a few tough breaks and I ended up 14th, which was not quite where we wanted to be. 

“Fortunately I redeemed myself in race 2 with the highlight of my weekend, when I fought up to fourth and managed to keep the place despite some huge pressure from behind. "The final was a bit tougher again and I found myself in a long train of cars. “I managed to break away from that and enjoyed a tight battle for eleventh and when it all worked out in the end, you guessed it, I was eighth overall! 

“We will now get my ca back to full strength and take some time to analyse the weekend with the team. "We know I have the pace and I aim to come back stronger next race.” There’s a short break for Aqil and his Ginetta Junior rivals before the next race at Brand Hatch 14-15 May, a week before round 3 at Thuxton. 

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Aqil Alibhai

What:Ginetta Junior Championship Round 1 Report
Where:Donington Park, England
When:23-24 April 2022
Community:International

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