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Craig experiences the highs and lows of racing… 

…Ginetta Junior racer scores a brilliant 4^th before rolling out of second race 

If his car had one, chances are that Ashley Craig wouldn’t have Oasis’ ‘Roll with it’ on the stereo.  Especially after his spectacular crash at Donington Park, Leicestershire last Sunday (4 May). 

Prior to this, the Dorset teenager’s weekend had started with a superb performance on Saturday (3 May). After qualifying in 12^th place, Ashley delivered a drive that drew praise as he picked his way through the field to take the chequered flag in 4^th place, his best finishing position this season.  

He explains: “During qualifying, I couldn’t pick up a tow and that can cost you up to a second around Donington. In the race, I’d got up to 4^th and was closing in on Josh (Hill), but he hit a plastic-covered foam bale which scattered debris all over the track. I took avoiding action, lost time and decided to settle for 4^th thinking that, if I could climb from 12^th to 4^th in one race, I could go even better in the second. Wrong!”  

As part of the support programme for the British Touring Car Championship, the Ginetta Junior Championship has been welcomed by the spectators for its close, exciting racing. However, things got a little too thrilling for Ashley in Sunday’s race. 

As he launched his car off the line, Ashley went for the inside line as the pack headed into the tricky first corner, Redgate. He takes up the story: “I was inside George Richardson but two cars collided just ahead of us. George dived right to avoid t-boning the car ahead, clipped me and pitched me into a roll. I went across the track on my roof.”   

After taking a moment to collect himself, Ashley realized that he was hanging upside down in the car. Suspended by his seat-belts, but resisting the temptation to get out of the car immediately, he said: “I was hanging there and thought I’d better keep my belts done up just in case another car collected me. Suddenly the marshals were by the car asking if I was okay. I told them that I was and they said, ‘We’re going to release your belts’. The funny thing was I was fine, until I tried to get out of the car and whacked my elbow. As I clambered out of the car, the crowd cheered and I waved to them to signal that I was okay. I looked at where the car had skidded across the circuit and saw that I’d left blue and white stripes across the tarmac.” 

Describing the experience as being similar to a rollercoaster ride, Ashley also revealed that he had ground part of his car’s roll-cage down and got a mouthful of grit and fibreglass for his pains. He suffered nothing worse than a headache the day after - although his dad, Barry joked that his wallet hurt even more. 

“It’s testimony to the car’s strength that I’m unhurt” Ashley said. “I’m looking forward to the next round at Thruxton), as technically it’s my local circuit and now that I’ve shown that I can challenge for podiums, I’m confident that the second half of the season will be even better.” 

Ironically, Ashley will sit a GCSE exam prior to his next race: “It’s for my Design and Technology course, it’s on resistance materials. After my practical at Donington, I expect to pass with flying colours!” 

You can also follow Ashley’s fortunes throughout the season by visiting www.ashley-craig.com.