Race report: JP Racing at the British Truck Racing Championship

JP Racing is a family run team, whose name is well established in the truck racing community with over 25 years’ experience.

John Powell senior was a pioneer for the sport in the 1980’s, racing alongside such names as Steve Parish, Rod Chapman and Barry Sheene. Now his sons are following in his footsteps and playing a huge role in the world of truck racing.

We’re proud to have JP Racing as part of our team of Motul ambassadors, and they’ve recently shared with us their race report from the British Truck Racing Championship at Donington in August 2021.

Thursday: Testing

Test session 1.  Took it easy after engine re-build to settle it in and all seemed well.

Test session 2.  Two laps in and turbo blows coming down exhibition straight. Team worked into the night to replace turbo and flush system through of any debris that may have been left behind.

Saturday: Qualifying

Apprehensive after turbo blow and uncertainty of cause, but done enough to qualify in 8^th place.

Race 1.  Let’s go for it.  Flying laps fighting for 3rd place, but a missed gear losing us 3 places and finished 6th.  But we are all smiles, truck is performing well. 20 started but only 16 finished

Race 2. Starting 3rd on the grid but pushed into the gravel on first bend.  Kept good pace but couldn’t make up the place.  Finishing in 9^th place.
Team worked into the night again replacing manifold after noticing oil on the chassis.

Sunday

Race 3.  Starting on pole and keeps position well until an incident forces us off the track causing some panel damage.  Finished in 7^th place. Also noticed oil leaking again.  Quick weld of exhaust to manifold and a patch up of the panels had us race ready again.

Race 4. Starts on pole and holds position.  Truck is performing well and we receive our first win of the season.  Disappointment soon to come as we receive a 10 second penalty for over speed,  having been caught in the back draft of a division 1 truck.  Couldn’t move out of it without opening the door for the 2nd place truck, so held in.  This penalty still see us finishing in 4th place.

Race 5.  Starting 4th on grid and moving up well.  A hard battle with brother Steven for 2nd place before receiving contact from 4th place driver battling for our 3rd place position, causing damage and a steering issue which slowed us down.  Still just managed to finish the race in 5^th.

The truck is performing well and John is pleased with the power. Now looking forward to Snetterton on 18^th/19^th September 2021.

Witham Motorsport proud to support and work with a number of race drivers, teams and garages. To read more about who uses Motul oils and to shop the full range, please click here.