Upminster Racing Driver, Ryan Hooker Takes 2nd In Latest VdeV UK Race
Ryan Hooker (Upminster, Essex) is celebrating after taking second place in the third round of the VdeV UK Championship at Oulton Park, Cheshire with driving partner Sarah Reader in the TFL Racing Juno at the weekend.
The pair, in their first year racing together, have had strong finishes in the opening two rounds of the inaugural VdeV UK Championship with the promise of a podium finish never far away. Hoping to score a top six finish in this weekend's 4 Hour race, the pair bettered even their own expectations.
Ryan started the race, from 11th on the grid, after a difficult qualifying in wet conditions though thankfully the weather turned more favourable for the race.
"It was pretty hairy at the start" said Ryan afterwards, "with a few people going off but I was able to avoid any incidents and had a good solid first stint handing over to Sarah after an hour and a quarter."
Sarah had an equally solid stint which was interspersed with safety car periods which worked to the team's favour and fuelling plans. Sarah handed back to Ryan who raced just under the last hour of the race, successively posting fastest laps for the final 45 minutes. Ryan battled into third position and with the second place car disqualified for a tyre infringement, Ryan and Sarah were able to celebrate their first podium visit.
"I'm beyond pleased" reported back Ryan. "The car ran faultlessly, TFL Racing did a great job preparing the car, manufactured by Juno, and it was competitive throughout. Sarah put in a determined middle section which setme to run home for second place. It feels great to be on the podium!".
Sarah added "I am overjoyed. I have a great partner in Ryan and my team gave us a Juno that ran faultlessly all afternoon. All the nervous pacing up and down in the last hour, as Ryan was driving to the podium, was well worth it!".
Ryan Hooker (Upminster, Essex) is celebrating after taking second place in the third round of the VdeV UK Championship at Oulton Park, Cheshire with driving partner Sarah Reader in the TFL Racing Juno at the weekend.
Sarah had an equally solid stint which was interspersed with safety car periods which worked to the team's favour and fuelling plans. Sarah handed back to Ryan who raced just under the last hour of the race, successively posting fastest laps for the final 45 minutes. Ryan battled into third position and with the second place car disqualified for a tyre infringement, Ryan and Sarah were able to celebrate their first podium visit.