MINI CHALLENGE UK - Ronan Pearson salvages points from tough Oulton Park weekend

Posted by Cobra Sport Admin

MINI CHALLENGE UK - Ronan Pearson Oulton Park 2021

 

Scottish racer Ronan Pearson battled hard to salvage a pair of points finishes from what proved to be a challenging weekend on track as the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE headed for Oulton Park for round three.

The LDR Performance Tuning driver - based in Kelty, Fife - was seeking to cement his top ten championship placing on the back of a solid weekend at Brands Hatch five weeks earlier, with confidence high that his William Waugh-backed machine would be firmly in contention towards the front.

In what would be a hugely competitive qualifying session around the picturesque Cheshire circuit, Ronan posted the eleventh best time, with the teenager missing out on the top ten by less than a tenth of a second.

Maintaining his position at the start of the opening 20 minute race, Ronan found himself as part of a multi-car battle on track alongside Lewis Brown, Isaac Smith and Brad Hutchison but his hopes of fighting ahead of his rivals would end in a dramatic fashion at the start of lap ten.

Heading into turn one, team-mate Robbie Dalgleish - who was following behind - suffered a brake issue that resulted in him clattering into the rear of Ronan's car, putting him sideways into a slide that he was lucky to save having lost only three places.

Even with extensive damage to the rear of the car, Ronan was able to make it to the finish in 14th spot, with the team then working hard to ensure the #66 MINI JCW was fighting fit for race two.

Unfortunately, the second race would be limited to just three laps as a result of two large incidents, providing Ronan with only a handful of opportunities in which to make up places.

It would mean a twelfth place finish from the second race of double header meeting, which leaves Ronan in a share of tenth place in the standings heading to his home event at Knockhill.

“It’s been a trying weekend overall," he said. "I wanted a lot more from Oulton Park but luck just wasn’t on our side on Saturday. In a weekend overshadowed by the tragic accident at Brands Hatch, I think it’s much more important that we came away from the weekend in one piece, with some championship points and now we can build on things for Knockhill, where we need some strong results.

“As always, a huge thank you to everyone who makes this possible; my incredible partners, the team at LDR and also my family and friends. I’m glad we are out in under two weeks to get back in the saddle, and I can't wait to push hard in front of my home crowd.”

MINI CHALLENGE UK Ronan Pearson
MINI CHALLENGE UK Ronan Pearson
MINI CHALLENGE UK Ronan Pearson