British racer Charlie Martin made it a hat-trick of podiums for the season so far when she finished second in class at Thruxton in Hampshire this weekend. After picking up damage in qualifying, Charlie charged from the back of the grid to record the best result of her season to date.
Competing in the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge with Richardson Racing – and now coached from Thruxton onwards by Abbie Eaton, (multiple British Champion and test driver on The Grand Tour) – Charlie has picked up a podium finish in all three race events of the season so far, at Oulton Park, Rockingham and now Thruxton respectively.
It was race one that proved to be Charlie’s best race of the weekend as she charged through to a season best result after a difficult qualifying saw her further down the grid than she would usually be. Her fighting drive saw her move all the way up to second place in class, her best result so far.
“Although it didn’t end the way I wanted, I think it’s been a positive weekend. After the problem in qualifying, there was only way to go in the races and I really enjoyed coming through to finish on the podium – it went really well.
“We had a messy start to the weekend and I was struggling with moving around in my seat in the corners. I’m so grateful to SCHROTH Racing iNDi Seat for making an insert for me, against the clock, allowing me to get out in time for qualifying.”
“Going into race two, I felt confident of challenging for another podium and having got a good start, it was unfortunate to then get caught up in the incident. There was nothing that I could have done and it was one of those situations that you just have to accept will happen sometimes.
“Race one is the big positive for me to take away from this weekend and I’m looking forward to Silverstone and pushing for another podium.”
“I’m thrilled to have recorded my best result to date in this championship. Considering we went straight into qualifying without any practice, I’m pleased I could get up to speed quickly and finish on the podium.
“At the half-way point of the season, I’m very happy with my progress and my results. When I joined the championship, my target was a podium. Now, I am eager to stand on the top step of the podium before the season is out. It’s time to get back to work with my coach Abbie Eaton and build on this momentum further in Silverstone.”
The next round of the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge takes place on June 9 at Silverstone, the home of British Motorsport. By Marc Waller
