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Fenland driver secures single-seater class glory at Donington Park GP circuit




Gorefield-based driver Bill Garner secured his first single-seater race championship with a race to spare at the Donington Park GP circuit.

During the season for Class B, Garner took nine race wins and eight fastest laps and finished in the top ten overall 12 times in 14 outings.

Not only did the Fenland driver secure the Class B Championship but he was fifth overall with the bonus of second in the Vee Centre Masters Championship (for over 45s).

Gorefield driver Bill Garner
Gorefield driver Bill Garner

Garner said: ''Without the two did-not-finishes we certainly would have had a good shot at third overall, but hey that's racing sometimes."

The race ace only needed to finish fifth in class with him holding such a commanding lead in the Class B championship.

After testing on Friday morning in dry but cold conditions, a wet track greeted the team for qualifying on Saturday where he qualified fourth in race one and third in race two.

A trademark start saw him sit comfortably fourth overall and first in class, with the pit wall crew providing valuable information it seemed like a case of just bringing it home, but a safety car period changed everything as the pack regrouped.

Now it was a case of sticking to the strategy of keeping out of trouble and finishing.

''It was horrible letting drivers past and dropping places, especially your closest rival, not a racer's mindset, but definitely a championship one," said Garner.

Bill finished in P7 overall and 2nd in Class B to take the title with the Sunday race still to come.

''The slowing down lap was a bit of a blur, but driving down the pit lane to applause from other teams and my team going crazy was fantastic," he said.

Sunday's race was the perfect end to the season, starting on the second row in third, but with the P2 car not starting the race, he took full advantage and with a flying start took the lead of the race.

Midway through the race and, battling for third overall, the lead car dropped some oil at the hairpin which caught out a few drivers including Garner himself.

A swift recovery from the spin saw him recover to take the Class B win, the fastest lap and fifth overall.

Garner said: "My success could not have been achieved without the continued support and dedication of my wife Stephanie, acting as team manager and strategist.

"Mechanics Andrew Humphrey and Toby George (both Gorefield-based) have been invaluable in ensuring the car and equipment are set up correctly for each race.

"Additional financial support came mid-season when the team were struggling, from local sponsors Philips Flooring Wisbech, Remarkable Entertainments, Maggie Aimy and Lucy at The Potting Shed and Darren Drew Painting & Decorating.

"G3r Solutions Ltd supplied the race awning at the beginning of the season which has made paddock life much easier.

"Technical and driver support has come from James Harridge at Maverick Motorsport. Huge thanks to Alan Harding, of AHS Motorsport Lutterworth, for race day support and advice."

The team now look forward to the awards ceremonies for 2024 and start planning winter preparations for 2025.

Unfortunately without financial support next season the team will be unable to compete in the full championship again, but hopefully, their success this year will help to find that.

Delight for Bill Garner after his class success
Delight for Bill Garner after his class success
Bill Garner's car
Bill Garner's car

If you are a local business or individual looking to see your name on some of the most prestigious motor racing circuits in the UK, Garner can be contacted via email at: twrgarner@gmail.com



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