Chatham’s Dave Wooder made a terrific start to the 2016 season for Total Control Racing at Brands Hatch at the weekend.

It was a richly deserved double podium on his ‘home’ track also securing second place in the standings.

Converting a strong qualifying performance into third place during round one on Saturday and an improved second position in Sunday’s televised contest, the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship youngster confirmed both his pace and title challenging credentials.

“We wanted one place higher in the Juniors but we knew we’d be strong with Dave this weekend, he deserved a win but a second and a third is a fantastic way to start the year”, said TCR team principal Lee Brookes.

Starting Saturday’s Ginetta Junior race from third spot, after setting fastest lap pace early on Wooder sliced through into second on lap three and on the very next tour he pounced to grab the lead from Stuart Middleton. After a Safety Car period, the TCR racer held the lead but after running wide he was edged back to second and ultimately third several laps later where he stayed.

For Sunday’s second round, screened live on ITV4, Wooder was again involved in a fantastic scrap for the lead and only missed out on a maiden victory by 0.1 seconds. Making a good start from third on the grid, he then took second at Clark Curve and started to apply pressure to race one sparring partner Middleton.

With little to choose between the leading contenders, the battle raged race-long. Trying absolutely everything, Wooder left nothing on the table as he put his all into passing Middleton but in the end he had to settle for a nonetheless excellent runner-up spot.

Donington Park in Leicestershire will host the second event of the season on 16th/17th April.

2016 Ginetta Junior Championship Driver Standings (after Rd2):
2nd Dave Wooder, 56pts

2016 Ginetta Junior Championship Team Standings (after Rd2):
3rd Total Control Racing, 87pts

Action pictures supplied by www.psp-images.co.uk