Patrick’s Podium Bliss
Patrick McKenna heads into the second half of the UK Formula Ford season in Silverstone next weekend boosted by podium finishes in the last two events at Snetterton and Donington Park.
Dubliner McKenna, the reigning All Ireland and Northern Ireland Formula Ford Champion, endured a difficult start to his first full season abroad when he broke his thumb in a pre-season testing accident at Oulton Park.
Ligament damage to the thumb sustained in an on track altercation at the third event was a further setback but McKenna is now starting to put together a consistent run of performances to match the expectations created by his stunning pre-Christmas testing form.
Driving a Mygale-Scholar with Jamun Racing in one of the most competitive racing series on the junior single seater ladder, McKenna has shrugged off early season travails to force himself into contention in several recent races and, following the short mid-season break, is looking forward to confirming his status as one of the strongest drivers on the grid, starting at Silverstone next weekend.
“It was a tough start to the year with two injuries to the thumb in quick succession but we’re really starting to gather momentum now,” said McKenna from his home in Swords, County Dublin this week.
“We were quick in the wet in pre-season testing but then we had the crash at Island Bend at Oulton during the first dry test day of the season. I had two pins inserted in the thumb and then missed five weeks of pre-season testing.
“I only had the pins taken out three days before the first round. Then I was spun out of second place at the third event and then pushed wide later in the race which sprained the thumb again.”
“It’s tough enough racing in most competitive series around and trying to learn the tracks and the gel with a new car and team without having to do it one-handed!
“Still, we’re back on an even keel now and I’m able to run at the front consistently without any problems from the thumb. As well as the podiums, I’ve started from the front row and led races this year so I feel like it’s coming for us.
“The target is to maintain this level of competitiveness, try and get a couple of wins and then head to the end of year Formula Ford Festival on the back of a consistent run,” added Patrick
It’s been a good year so far thanks to the support I‘ve had from long time sponsor Paul Kenny and Willsborough Transport. I’d also like to thank Motorsport Ireland, Dunlop and the Sports Council, D.I.T Sports, Jamun racing and Scholar engines.
In addition to his racing activities, McKenna recently completed an ordinary degree (diploma) in Engineering and is now going on to the third year of a degree at Bolton Street, Dublin. From a racing background, Patrick’s brother Mark was a former British Formula Ford competitor while father Brendan was a front runner in the Irish Formula Ford championship.
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