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Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of the Year Jack Byrne returned to the top step of the podium as the second half of the Clio Cup Europe Series kicked off at the Magny Cours venue in France.
The ex-F1 circuit was yet another new venue for Byrne to learn and with limited testing time on the Friday to get the eye in, every lap would be crucial to get familiar with the high speed track. Byrne had had a busy summer break both on and off the track and was determined to kick start the second half of the season in good form ahead of the first qualifying session on Saturday.
Having studied the data from Friday with his GPA Racing team, Byrne felt confident that he had the pace to challenge at the front. Despite not getting a crucial tow on his fastest lap, he would line up P12 on the grid for the opening race of the weekend, right in the middle of his Junior championship rivals.
As the race began Byrne made his way into the top 10 and was involved in a fierce battle for the Junior lead along with the Mid-Europe series which he is also contesting as part of the Clio Cup Series. Some contact with fellow Junior rival Damiano Puccetti dropped Byrne out of the top 10 and back down to P15, with his progress back towards the top 10 disrupted by a mid-race safety car. When the chequered flag flew he crossed the line in P12, taking 3rd place in both the European Junior and Mid-Europe overall categories while also winning the Mid-Europe Junior category.
Heading into Sunday’s qualifying session, Byrne was determined to hook up a better lap as the data showed a top 5 place on the grid was possible in the previous session. It all went wrong however as at the end of his first flying lap, a driveshaft snapped at the exit of the final chicane ruling Byrne out of the session and leaving him starting back in P27 for the second race of the weekend.
Knowing he had it all to do the Wexford man was looking to make one of his trademark first lap charges as the lights went out. Unfortunately his luck was well and truly out this time, as having made a number of spots off the line, a car spun ahead and came back into the pack of cars heading around Turn 1. In trying to avoid the errant car, Byrne made light contact with another car which unfortunately snapped a steering arm putting him out on the spot and ending his race there and then. The championship heads to Barcelona on September 12th-14th and Byrne is confident of a good showing as he has prior experience of the Circuit De Cataluyna having done a number of test days at the venue.
Jack Byrne #86 GPA Racing
“We just seem to be missing that last little bit of luck that every driver needs to succeed and that’s been the case this weekend, especially given what happened on Sunday. However, I’m very happy with the car and I know we have the pace to be challenging at the front if things go our way. A big thanks to all the team for a fantastic job as usual and to all my supporters and corporate partners for making it all possible. Hopefully we can put this pace to good use in Barcelona and bring home some more trophies!”
Jack Byrne is supported by Motorsport Ireland | Sport Ireland | O’Brien Cement | West Wales Rally Spares | David Byrne Auto Repairs | Slaney View Motors | Ignite Training and Consultancy
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