McKenna continues to drive incredibly well over race one and two of the championship.
Young British racing driver and brand ambassador Scott McKenna, took to the track this past month to kick start his 2019 season.
Race 1: Oulton Park
Scott McKenna at Oulton Park 2019
So it’s fair to say Scott had a pretty interesting start to the season this year. In qualifying for race one at Oulton Park, Scott started in pole position and had a dream run for any driver. He had a great start, secured a nice buffer and then cleanly completely the lap to confidently kick the weekend off.
It was only then when the pit board said ‘ten-second penalty’ Scott knew something was up. Radios between drivers and pits are not allowed in this series of racing so Scott was in the dark as to why he had the penalty. Scott continued to push as hard as possible to try and lessen the damage of the penalty which he assumed must have been a track limits infringement.
Unfortunately, the gap of four seconds was not enough and he had dropped to sixth place.
Scott McKenna at Oulton Park 2019
The car was actually creeping forward a matter of a few inches at a time on the start line. This was associated with a higher track temperature than normal which resulted in the Ginetta’s clutch slightly dragging. This was then deemed as a jump start from McKenna, hence the penalty.
A slight set back for McKenna, he had to bounce back, put the hiccup out of his mind and ensure he remained focused on really performing in race two and three.
Oulton Park Two and Three
Scott McKenna's slightly damaged car at Oulton Park 2019
Scott was qualifying second on race two and once again, had a great start. An impressive strong defensive performance from Geri Nicosia in 2nd place resulted in Scott finishing the race in 3rd.
It was later afternoon by the time the third race of the weekend was underway and it’s fair to say this was an intense one. Geri Nicosia kept up his defensive strategy alive in race three with the field bunched up together right behind. Scott sat in 3rd place again with Adam Smalley ahead in 2nd. Scott patiently waited for three laps to pass before making a move.
Scott cleanly passed Smalley on Nickerbrook Chicane. However, due to Nicosia braking, early Scott had nowhere to go and contact was made.
This created a great bit of excitement for spectators with McKenna ending 2nd behind Smalley in first. Although Scott enjoyed this race, a post-race investigation came to the conclusion that the overtake was overly aggressive.
Scott McKenna at Oulton Park 2019
The penalties? A four-second penalty in the race itself. Three points on his race licence. 15 championship points taken away.
Scott took away a lot of positives from the weekend. Firstly a pole position with all three track results on the podium. Both car and team performed brilliantly.
Race Two: Thruxton
Scott McKenna's Car at Thruxton 2019
Qualifying sessions were tough at Thruxton down to a dramatic change in air temperature. The track temperature impacted the set up of the car with the balance of the vehicle changing. Initial testing at the track had previously been completed in fairly cold weather. Scott qualified to start 10th for race one and 7th position for race two.
After some quick thinking from lead technician Mel and the whole Xentek Motorsports team, the car was ready for race one. Crucially important information from Scott’s experience of the car on the track, on-board data and video allowed the team to really get to work and complete necessary tweaks to the car.
The checkered flag in sight...
Race one was, well I’ll let a quote from Scott do the talking:
“Race one was absolutely incredible! Perfectly dry weather and a solid start saw me go from 10th to 6th in the first four corners. Continuing my charge through the field, I finished the race in 2nd position and set the fastest lap of the race. An overwhelming end to what started out as such a tough first day of the race weekend.”
Race two was a similarly exciting and thrilling race with a great battle resulting in Scott finishing in third. Once again Scott’s team around him proved why they’re a huge positive benefit to Scott’s career.
McKenna continues to perform
Scott McKenna's Car at Thruxton 2019
Sunday saw 30,000+ people descend on a sunny Thruxton to watch the racing with the whole day also being broadcast live on ITV4.
“Sitting on the grid before the race was an atmospheric place to be and I certainly had the best seat in the house!”
Two podium finishes resulted in a great haul of championship points and Scott now sitting in 3rd for the championship.
Scott McKenna at Thruxton 2019
For us here at WatchGecko it’s fantastic to see Scott’s determination and hard work be reflected in his results. It seems Scott is learning a lot with every corner he takes and we’re equally excited to for the rest of the championship.
Next up?...Silverstone.
GT5 Challenge Race Calendar
There are 19 races over the course of 7 race weekends throughout the year. The first races take place on the bank holiday weekend of 20th to 22nd April.
Easter Weekend 20th to 22nd April
GT5 Challenge at Oulton Park in Cheshire alongside the Blancpain British GT and BRDC British F3 Championships.
Saturday 18th - 19th May
GT5 Challenge at Thruxton in Hampshire alongside the BTCC.
Saturday 8th - 9th June
GT5 Challenge at Silverstone alongside the British GT Championship and Silverstone 500 Supercar Sunday.
Saturday 22 - 23 June
GT5 Challenge at Donington Park alongside the British GT & BRDC British F3 Championships.
Saturday 6th - 7th July
GT5 Challenge at Zandvoort in the Netherlands as part of the British Race Festival.
Saturday 3rd - 4th August
GT5 Challenge at Snetterton alongside the BTCC.
Saturday 14th - 15th September
GT5 Challenge at Donington Park alongside the British GT & BRDC British F3 Championships.
We're really pleased to be working with Scott again this year so stay tuned to the WatchGecko Online Magazine and our social media pages for updates on Scott's races and for special offers and promotions throughout the 2019 GT5 season.
