Tackling the challenging Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, Holly Miall enjoyed one of her most competitive showings of the year, regularly running in the midfield while enjoying close battles throughout fighting back from a difficult qualifying.
Holly Miall returned to Ginetta Junior Championship action with a consistent weekend at Brands Hatch. The Fox Motorsport driver scored a pair of top-15 finishes and enjoyed close battles in the midfield, displaying a significant performance improvement which she will aim to carry forward into the final round of the season.
Holly’s results have now elevated her inside the top-15 of the championship, with a top-10 race result the next target as her rookie car racing season reaches a close.
Holly has continued to make progress in her debut season of car racing and by slowing closing the gap to the drivers ahead, she was looking to enjoy a number of close battles throughout the weekend. Friday’s pre-event test session was held on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit with the Fox Motorsport driver setting the 19th fastest time.
Qualifying was held on Saturday morning with drivers tackling the challenging Grand Prix layout. Holly’s three flying laps were incredibly consistent, with less than one tenth of a second separating her times, with her fastest lap quick enough for 19th on the grid in race one. Her consistency enabled her to move up one place to 18th for race two’s grid which was based off the drivers second fastest qualifying times.
Starting the opening race of the weekend from 19th, Holly held her position after lap one before making an excellent move on newcomer and Fox Motorsport teammate Jack Robinson at the beginning of lap two. Miall continued to move through the field and was into 17th when a safety car was deployed following an incident ahead. Making an excellent restart, Holly improved on her fastest lap from qualifying by over a second and passed both Harry Moss and Nick Ellis in the closing stages to finish a very credible 15th, while consistently challenging the drivers ahead.
Lining up 18th for race two, Holly made a brilliant start and moved up to 14th at the conclusion of the first lap, before gaining a further position on lap two as the safety car was then deployed. As racing resumed, Miall ran her fastest lap of the race, once again quicker than her best qualifying effort, in an attempt to stay in touch with Fox Motorsport teammate Harry Moss.
Consistency was key for Miall as she tackled the technical Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, lapping within a second of her best on every lap following the safety car restart. This allowed Miall to finish race two in 15th, another solid result in which she fought hard in tough conditions.
This promising result allowed Holly to line up inside the top-15 for the final race of the weekend. Although dropping back to 19th on the initial start, by lap three Miall was up to 18th after moving ahead of Jack Robinson and was once again lapping competitively in comparison to the drivers ahead.
As she maintained her speed during the middle portion of the race, a safety car on lap seven meant that Holly would have a chance to move forward with a final lap restart. A great battle on the last lap saw the Fox Motorsport driver holding her own against her midfield rivals, crossing the line in 17th, just half a second away from the driver ahead.
Tackling the challenging Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, Holly enjoyed one of her most competitive showings of the year. Regularly running with the midfield drivers, while enjoying close battles throughout, Miall should be pleased with her progress in her debut season of car racing.
"It was definitely a tough weekend, especially with the heat", explained Miall. "We didn’t get off to a good start with a disappointing qualifying, but didn’t get disheartened and pushed onto the races moving up the grid in race one and two."
Holly’s start in race two was a particular highlight and, combined with her improved speed, allowed Miall to develop her racecraft.
"I learnt lots, which is always good – and I can’t wait to get back out for the final round of the year at Donington next month" – Holly concluded.
The Fox Motorsport driver will be aiming to improve further when the Ginetta Junior Championship season reaches a close at Donington Park on the weekend of 21st/22nd October.
