It was a welcome return to the top step of the podium for Upminster racing driver, Ryan Hooker this weekend. Competing with Juno Racing in the Winter Britsports series, Ryan and partner Jeff Davies took a commanding win in the Juno SS3-V6 at Snetterton.
Having raced in various GT series this season, including international FIA GT, Ryan took the opportunity to race with Juno in their highly successful sports prototype as he looks ahead to 2006.
"I have seen the Juno race a number of times this year and have been very impressed" said Ryan, "so when I was given the opportunity to try the car myself I wasn't going to say no!"
And the car showed signs of living up to Ryan's expectations from the outset. A test session on Friday gave Ryan the opportunity to get used to the car and he immediately found it extremely fast and well set up.
"It was a real pleasure to drive" commented Ryan after his first day at the wheel. "The set up and performance was there from the second I went out on track so we have been able to spend the day fine tuning. It drives beautifully and the potential is immense. It's a real credit to the Juno Team and their team director and designer Ewan Baldry."
Saturday saw this potential put to the test in race conditions with Ryan partnered by Jeff Davies, who had already taken a win with Juno in a WRDA event in September. Ryan put in a stunning performance in qualifying to see the team take pole by almost 1.7seconds ahead of second place and set a new fastest lap for the series at the Norfolk circuit.
Ryan started the race and continued to showcase the Juno's pace, pulling out a substantial lead before a safety car period bunched the field back up. Once the green flag was given, Ryan once more eked out a substantial lead. However, when it came time to handover to Jeff fortune didn't fall Juno's way as a safety car period fell lucky for the Chiron team's handover who took the lead by 40seconds. Not that this fazed the team greatly as Jeff lapped 4seconds a lap quicker than the Chiron and Juno soon regained the lead. The team eventually took the win by over 37seconds.
"It was a fantastic result" said Ryan, "and a great feeling to be back on the top step of the podium. This has been a real breath of fresh air for me after a season which has had a number of highs but a number of very trying lows too. I thoroughly enjoyed racing with Juno, the team were extremely knowledgeable and it was a pleasure to work with them."
It is now a quick turn around for Ryan as he hopes this winning streak follows him to Italy where he will be racing with 2005 British GT3 Champion, Piers Masarati in the 6Hours Gold Cup at Vallelunga just outside Rome. Ryan and Piers will be driving the Trakspeed Porsche GT3.
It was a welcome return to the top step of the podium for Upminster racing driver, Ryan Hooker this weekend. Competing with Juno Racing in the Winter Britsports series, Ryan and partner Jeff Davies took a commanding win in the Juno SS3-V6 at Snetterton.
Ryan started the race and continued to showcase the Juno's pace, pulling out a substantial lead before a safety car period bunched the field back up. Once the green flag was given, Ryan once more eked out a substantial lead. However, when it came time to handover to Jeff fortune didn't fall Juno's way as a safety car period fell lucky for the Chiron team's handover who took the lead by 40seconds. Not that this fazed the team greatly as Jeff lapped 4seconds a lap quicker than the Chiron and Juno soon regained the lead. The team eventually took the win by over 37seconds.