The Richardson Racing team enjoyed a fine weekend on track as the Michelin Ginetta GT5 Challenge returned to Oulton Park for the second round of the season, with a pair of wins from the two races.
Having secured a victory at the Cheshire circuit during the season-opening triple-header earlier in the month, the Corby-based team and driver Josh Malin made the return to Oulton keen to challenge for more silverware and move up the championship standings.
Friday testing in mixed weather conditions saw Josh secure the quickest time and meant he headed into Saturday as the man to beat on track. An impressive performance in qualifying then saw him storm to pole position, with his fastest three laps in the session all being quicker than anyone else.
As a result, he also secured pole for the second race of the weekend, with the grid determined by the second fastest lap times in the session.
Maintaining his lead with a demon start when the lights went out for race one, Josh found himself under pressure from David Ellesley for the lead, with his rival ultimately spinning out when he made contact with Josh’s car whilst trying to take the position.
Although the contact caused some damage to his car, Josh was able to maintain his place at the head of the pack despite continued pressure from behind, and duly wrapped up a second victory of the season.
Sunday’s second race would be held in treacherous wet conditions with persistent rain falling, adding an extra challenge for Josh when he took up his place at the head of the field for the start.
Getting away well off the line, Josh would come under huge pressure throughout the race from Jonny Wilkinson as the race wore on, with Wilkinson briefly managing to get ahead only to then run wide and allow Josh to reclaim the place.
Staying out front, Josh held off Wilkinson to the flag to secure a second win of the weekend and move up to third in the standings.
“I’m ecstatic with the weekend and it’s great to get a double pole and double win,” he said. “We have shown great pace here and to win the first race from the front was brilliant. Race two was a lot more difficult with the rain and credit to Jonny for a fantastic battle and a really clean race.
“I had work to do coming back to Oulton Park after round one and I think I have shown this weekend that I’m here to win the championship this year and aren’t messing about. I’ve not been to Knockhill before so next weekend will be a baptism of fire, but I’m looking forward to it and hopefully we can built on our results here.”