Declan Jones ends Oulton Park weekend on high
Pictures courtesy of Jakob Ebrey

LIVERPOOL based youngster secures a fighting ninth in the latest rounds of the Ginetta Junior Championship and shows further improvement at the Cheshire circuit.   Declan Jones, put in a brilliant performance at Oulton Park last weekend in rounds seven and eight of the 2011 Ginetta Junior Championship, running as high as fifth in the second race and eventually finishing ninth, despite a puncture.

Declan, who has moved up to the Ginetta Junior Championship for 14 to 17 year olds this season, went into the event again gunning for a top 10 to match what he had managed last time out at Thruxton, and the 15 year old duly delivered - and in some style too.

Indeed despite a tough start to his home event, with the Chicago-Soft-backed youngster slowed by a differential issue in unofficial practice on Friday, he bounced back the next day and with a new diff fitted he was almost two seconds a lap quicker and a solid 13th in practice.

His mechanical woes however were not over and in qualifying brake problems meant he was unable to set a representative
time in his family-run Kelvin Jones Motorsport Ginetta G40J, leaving him only 17th on the grid.

Declan put his head down though, and in the first race hauled his car up the order to twelfth, less than 6 seconds off the top 10.

The following day saw the weather take a turn for the worse, but in drying and gloomy conditions, the Liverpudlian immediately made headway in the second race, which was screened live on UK TV on ITV4, and he was ninth by the end of the first lap.

He then got up as high as fifth and was fast closing on fourth, until slowed by a puncture, a result of getting caught up in a clash between his former team-mate, Paddy McClughan and Niall Murray on lap 3.

"My old team-mate spun in front of me through Lodge and I clipped him. It ripped off part of the front left of the car and then something started rubbing on the tyre." Declan explained.

Despite being hindered by the puncture though, which later went flat, the Ginetta Junior rookie hung on and still got a top 10, eventually crossing the line in ninth, to equal his best result thus far in the championship.

"We had a really difficult start to the weekend with the diff going. But as soon as we changed that we found something like 1.7 seconds. Obviously that was a big boost. But then the brake pedal went long in qualifying and I really struggled. Race 1 was okay but we got the set-up really good for today’s race. On lap 3 I was the quickest on the track and by lap 5 was fifth and catching fourth and third. But then the puncture came in and it was hard towards the end as it had gone completely flat. It wouldn’t go around right-handers properly and I just had to try and keep people behind me and collect as many points as possible." said Declan.

Declan eventually added another 21 points to his tally in total - his best haul thus far - and he will now go to Croft in North Yorkshire in two weeks time over 18 June to 19 June 2011, for rounds nine and ten of the MSA British Touring Car Championship- upport series, with 59 points on the board.

"I obviously want to try and improve at Croft. I know I can do it now and know I can be fast there and right up with the quick boys. A top-ten is definitely the target again. This weekend has been eventful and a bit bittersweet. There have been lots of ups and downs. But some points have been really good and that is what I want to remember." he continued.

Declan’s dad and boss of Kelvin Jones Motorsport, Kelvin Jones meanwhile labelled his son’s latest performance in the second race ‘brilliant’, adding it was just what the youngster needed as he continues to learn in what is only his first season post-karting.  "What a drive! That was unbelievable! We knew once it was wet he was going to be good today and he got right up to fifth. He was fastest on the track on lap 3 and nearly a second faster than Seb [Morris]. I thought he was on his way to the podium, he was that fast. But then obviously the tyre went flat and he had to battle his way to ninth. It is still a great to finish the weekend though, especially after what happened on Friday and Saturday. On Friday the car just got worse and worse as the day went on and it then started to labour out of Knickerbrook and up Clay Hill. Ginetta loaned me another diff for the Saturday and we put it in and went about two seconds quicker. Then in qualifying the pedal went long and as Declan braked it just locked the front. We knew then his qualifying was over. In Saturday’s race, again he did well. We finished twelfth. That was a bit of a s*** fight, but there was a lot to do having started right from the back. Returning to today’s race though, I thought Dec put in a great performance. It is a good confidence lift for him. He realises now he can race these guys. We have made steps forward with the car too. The team is getting to know it a lot more now. But the main improvement is just Declan and his confidence and even though he was only ninth, I thought it was one of the best drives I have seen him do. It was a brilliant performance. Now it is on to Croft in two weeks time and that will be mega. It will be a new track for us. We haven’t tested there. We will be going for more top-ten finishes. Let’s pray for rain too!"

DOWNING STREET SEND OFF FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS GB ATHLETES

THE Prime Minister David Cameron met a team of Special Olympics GB athletes on Monday, 6 June 2011, to wish them luck before they head off to represent Great Britain in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens.

One of the athletes present at Downing Street was Declan Kerry, 19, of Chester. A member of the 2011 WSG Unified Football Team, Declan has been a Special Olympics athlete since he was 14 years old. This award-winning sportsman won the Cheshire West and Chester Council Disabled Sports Person of the Year 2010, Chester Terrapins Swimming Club Tony Howley Cup for Swimmer of the Year 2009, and Special Olympics Chester Award for Consistent Performer of the Year 2009. Declan is thrilled to have been chosen to represent Great Britain at Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens as part of the Unified Football Team – a groundbreaking programme that places footballers with disabilities (called Athletes) on the same team as footballers without disabilities (called Partners).

The seven athletes representing Special Olympics GB at Downing Street today will join a team of 150 other learning disabled athletes on Sunday 19 June when they depart for the Special Olympics World Summer Games. They will be joined by 58 volunteer coaches, and will compete against 7,000 athletes from 180 countries.

The year’s largest multi sport event in the world celebrates the abilities and accomplishments of children and adults with learning disabilities. The World Summer Games is held every four years.

Special Olympics Great Britain is the country’s largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with learning disabilities, transforming lives through sport. Athletes have continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

"This week the country was shocked by the reports of unbelievable scenes of abuse at a home for the learning disabled. Just imagine how much this happens throughout the country – all the incidents that are NOT filmed! Our athletes have had to overcome a lifetime of bullying and challenges because they are different. Today we get to celebrate their ability and not their DISABILITY. Meeting the Prime Minister is a once in a lifetime experience and one they will carry with them in their hearts and minds as they proudly represent the country on a world stage." said Karen Wallin, Chief Executive Special Olympics Great Britain.

Joining the athletes at Downing Street were London 2012 hopeful Beth Tweddle, former 2x Olympic medallist Darren Campbell MBE and Special Olympics GB president Lawrie McMenemy MBE.

Beth Tweddle comments:- "I can appreciate the emotional and physical dedication that goes into being an athlete and I want to wish the team the very best. I am thrilled to be here and I hope to see the Special Olympics GB team set the tone for medal winning ahead of London 2012."

The athletes closed the day by attending a reception at the Greek Ambassador’s residence attended by dignitaries, family and sponsors.

The squad will compete in 17 out of the 22 sports disciplines offered including: Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Cycling, Equestrian, Football (including Unified Football), Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Kayaking, Powerlifting, Sailing, Table Tennis, Tennis and Ten Pin Bowling.

Each team member was chosen for their dedication to sport and their qualifying scores at the Special Olympics National Summer Games 2009 in Leicester.

NOMINATE AN NCT VOLUNTEER FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

NCT, the UK’s largest parents’ charity, is culminating its celebrations for Volunteers’ Week 2011 by inviting anyone who has benefited from, or engaged with, support or services run by the charity’s branches to nominate an NCT volunteer for a prestigious award. NCT Stars Awards, sponsored by Pampers, recognise and celebrate the achievement of those dedicated to ensuring NCT services and support are available for parents and parents to be across the UK and Channel Islands. These volunteers could be leading their local branch or region, running Nearly New Sales, campaigning to improve local maternity services or taking on a host of other roles.  Nominations are open from Tuesday, 7 June 2011, and the closing date is Friday, 9 September 2011.  Visit:- nct.org.uk/get-involved/...2011  to nominate a volunteer who has made a difference for parents and NCT.   The award categories are:-

1. Bumps & Babies Group of the Year
2. Communication of the Year
3. Fundraising Success of the Year
5. User Rep of the Year
6. Most Supportive Volunteer
6. Most Innovative Volunteer

To celebrate the European Year of the Volunteer, NCT will be holding a special event for NCT Stars shortlisted nominees, winners and supporters on 26 October 2011, at the House of Lords. All shortlisted volunteers will be invited to hear the winners being announced. Kathryn Skillings, Interim Branch and Volunteers Services Manager, NCT, said:- "The charity would not be able to reach all the parents and parents-to-be that we do without our volunteers – they make a fantastic contribution in supporting mums and dads at one of the most important times in their lives, and furthering the work of the charity. NCT Stars Awards are a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate our volunteers’ individual achievements and show our appreciation."  NCT has over 10,000 volunteers who give their time, energy and skills in more than 300 local branch teams.