In such an uncertain year, like many teams, we were unsure whether there would be any racing at all in 2020. However, with such a late start to the season, and lots of changes to a normal race year, there was lots to look forward to when it did eventually begin, in August.
Cadwell Park (1st-2nd August)
For the team’s Fiesta Junior debut, we began the season at Cadwell Park, also known as the “Mini Nurburgring” with Rookie driver Will Orton. Sadly, as BTCC also was on this weekend, the team was split in two, with half of us at Cadwell and the other half at Donington Park for the Ginetta Juniors.
After qualifying P2, William Orton, eventually went on to score P2 both races for a fantastic debut weekend.
Silverstone (12th-13th August)
This weekend, the team had a second driver, Alex Ley, who was debuting in Fiesta Juniors at Silverstone.
William Orton qualified P2, and went on to score another two podiums at Silverstone.
Alex Ley, qualified P10, and then achieved both a P10 and P11 in his debut weekend.
Donington Park (17-18th October)
At the penultimate round of the year, at a wintery Donington Park, Fiesta Juniors had an action packed couple of races.
Quali saw Will end P3 & Alex P7.
Race 1, and after a safety car period to recover Albert Webster’s rolled car, Will finished P2 & Alex just off the podium in P4.
Race 2, Will pushed the leader the entire race to again finish P2. Alex was in the middle of the battling pack, finishing P9 after receiving a penalty.
Croft (31st October)
“Final rounds of the 2020 Fiesta Junior Championship, completed at Croft.
Excellent work by everyone at the BRSCC to accommodate the round after the cancellation of Anglesey due to Covid restrictions, but this made the trip to Darlington a 1 day meeting.
For the eagle eyed amongst you, you’ll notice that the Fiesta used by Will yesterday is different to his regular car, and this is where our story gets even more interesting.
After the previous event at Donington, a deal was reached with someone to buy Will’s 2020 car, and the initial plan was to miss the final rounds & take these as drop scores. However, Will’s parents, Peter & Liz, spent hours upon hours creating charts & spreadsheets giving every eventuality with every driver in the championship, and it was found there was a scenario where Will could’ve been beaten into 2nd place in the championship by a single point. A long shot, but not something any of us wanted to risk. Also, we’ve all been made welcome by everyone connected to the FJC & BRSCC, so it only seemed right we’d commit to the final rounds & further support the rejuvenated championship by making the long journey north.
Following the sale of Will’s car, a hire car was sourced for us to use. The instructions were clear, qualify at the back, race around at the back, pick up championship points in race 1 & that would secure 2nd place in the championship & 1st rookie.
Will showed immense maturity doing as instructed, this goes against everything he & every racing driver has ever had instilled into them, but he understood the game plan & drove accordingly.
The curtain fell on the 2020 season with the results confirmed. Congratulations to Joseph Loake on sealing the championship, and congratulations to everyone at BRSCC & FJC for giving everyone the best spread of events they could given the current situation.
Onwards to 2021, with Will moving to something new with us. However FJC haven’t got rid of us, we’ll be back next year with some new young stars of the future.”
Onwards to 2021
William Orton Racing is stepping up to senior racing, and together we’re moving into Ginetta GT5’s.
We’re all very excited about this move following Will’s debut season in Fiesta Juniors.
Will is going to be one of the, if not the youngest drivers on the GT5 grid having just recently turned 16.
For other interested parties, we still have a car available for next season in the British GT & BTCC supporting GT5 challenge.
