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Drama and a few points on debut for Alibhai

South African karting graduate Aqil Alibhai enjoyed a tough but rewarding main circuit car racing debut in the Ginetta Junior Championship at Thruxton in England over the weekend. It was not the easiest of starts for the Ormonde, Johannesburg racer, who finds himself on a super-steep learning curve, but the weekend did bring his first points and Alibhai is raring to go for the rest of the season.

“There’s so much to learn!” Aqil admitted. “Not only was this weekend my first ever car race, but it is on a circuit I have never driven before against guys who have been here several times and in typical English conditions! “But I was happy with the outcome, even if we had a few challenges through the weekend. “I was mid-pack in practice but we had a technical issue in qualifying, so I was satisfied with a compromised 21st on the grid on a fast and slick track.

“I made up a few places through the first race and came home 18th to score my first points in the championship. “The second race was a bit more of a challenge! “I had a good start and picked up a few places on the first lap, but then I was tapped into a mad spin from behind and ended up backwards in the middle of the pack. “I managed to pick up the pieces and charged back to finish 24th.

“After all that, I earned a jump start penalty, so slipped another position to end off a weekend of hard knocks. “Most important is that we learned so much at Thruxton — it’s a whole new world for me and we are still getting used to this! “Thanks to my dad for all the support and to Breakell Racing for a great Ginetta this weekend. Now that I know the lay of the land a little, I’m looking forward to a step forward in the second round at a track where we have at least tested before!”

Along with the British Touring Cars, with which racing circus the Ginetta Juniors travel, organisers have delayed the balance of the season in an effort to allow the racing to happen at a time where spectators are likely to be allowed. The second round initially scheduled for Snetterton this weekend, will now happen 12-13 June.


ENDS

Issued on behalf of Aqil Alibhai

What:Ginetta Junior Championship Round 1 Report
Where:Thruxton, England
When:8-9 May 2021
Community:International

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