Strong start to Walter Hayes Trophy for Jonny McMullan
Silverstone, Northampton, UK – Sunday 1st November 2015: BRSCC British Formula Ford 1600 National Champion Jonny McMullan travelled to Silverstone this weekend for the final weekend of his 2015 Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year programme. The season as a whole has been hugely successful for the Antrim driver, despite this McMullan was still keen to add one more piece of silverware to his trophy cabinet and finish his season on a high.
Leaving the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch with a suspected straight line speed issue, his team worked hard throughout the week to cure the problem. Thursday and Friday’s heavily soaked Silverstone circuit however made it tricky to be absolutely sure if the issue had been resolved, but signs of progress were starting to emerge on Friday evening that the issue had been resolved.
Selected to take part in the sixth and final heat for the weekend, Jonny went on track for qualifying on Saturday shortly before midday. As the track dried out during the morning, as the final qualifying heat it provided McMullan with the best chance of a fast time ahead of his rivals in the earlier heats. Running towards the front of the times throughout the closely fought session, McMullan eventually finished fifth, which would be his starting position for the afternoon’s Heat race.
Starting from the outside of row three, McMullan got a superb start off the line on the now almost dry circuit. By just lap two, McMullan had charged to the lead and set about opening a small advantage at the front. Jonny couldn’t afford to rest on his laurels however, with Oliver White and Adam Mackay right on his gearbox and ready to pounce on any flounder from The Irish Sports Council supported driver.
McMullan was well in control at the front, using the class he showed throughout the season to maintain his lead to the flag and with it, his place for Sunday’s Walter Hayes Trophy Semi Final.
Jonny McMullan – Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year:
“Today has been a good day for us. We’ve worked hard since Brands to cure our straight-line speed issues and the hard work has really paid off. We were unlucky in qualifying not to be a little higher as the track just kept getting faster and faster as the session went on, but I knew I could get a good start from the outside of the grid and then it all came together. Let’s hope we can continue the good form in the Semi-Final tomorrow.”
