Ryan Jenkinson, Dave Buky and Ashley Patton all say they hope to turn in their strongest performances of the season so far when the Racing Hondas Championship arrives at their home circuit of Oulton Park this weekend.

Jenkinson’s hopes of more outright podium finishes went up in smoke – quite literally – at Brands Hatch when his Class A Honda Civic FN2’s engine blew up spectacuarly in qualifying.

“I was gutted – particularly as it meant we couldn’t go out and race later in front of the big crowds these events are pulling,” said the 30-year-old from Preston, a former rally champion and also a classically trained pianist!

He added: “Ben Sharpe Racing have done a great job with the car since and fitted a new engine with a K24 crank (2.4 litre) which should give us more grunt.

“I’ve had two second places so far. Dan Brown and Liam Collins in dry conditions have been the class of the field but a little of bit of rain or mixed conditions on Saturday and who knows?”

 

Kinetic Motorsport boss Buky, who at Brands joined his regular drivers Tommy Knight and Nick Charlier in a third car, says the squad has only one thing in mind.

“We’re going for a 1-2-3 finish!” enthused the 36-year-old from Chorley.

“Nick and Tommy both won at Cadwell Park, then Tommy again at Brands where I also got a win and had been fastest in qualifying. But they’ve had some bad luck along the way as well – hopefully all that’s behind us now.

“They’re trying to catch Alfie (Jeakins) in the Class B standings so if they can find more time by using my data then great. One thing I won’t be doing is slowing down at the line to let them win, though – none of us want that.

“The International Circuit’s character means you can gain more time in places than you thought possible, but it’s also tough on brakes and quite a narrow track so qualifying will play an important role in the outcome.

 

For Patton, a senior test engineer in assisted, automated and autonomous vehicles, this Saturday will mark his first races around Oulton – even though he previously worked for the circuit’s race school and in the pit lane as an engineer for a Formula Ford team.

The 38-year-old from Congleton competes in Class C in his Civic EP3 and his best results so far in the division are P3 (qualifying) and P5 (race) – both achieved on his car racing debut in Anglesey’s opening rounds!

“I know the speed is potentially there for a podium – wouldn’t that be something at Oulton! – but after Anglesey I had to miss Cadwell Park because I’d hurt my back and then it was my first time at Brands Hatch.

“I hope there’s decent weather at Oulton for my family and friends who are coming along – so far it’s pretty much been just me at events, driving the car to and from circuits and working on it alone but I might a bit of help this time.

“One of the championship’s strengths is you don’t need to be in a team to compete. It’s also really well run and for a club racing championship to be pulling in such large trackside crowds is unique.”