• 2011 FIA GT1 World Championship
• 2010 Le Mans 24hrs, Le Mans Series
• 2009 Superleague Formula Driver
• AT&T Williams F1 Test driver
• Race winner in 2007 British F3 Championship with Raikkonen Robertson Racing
• British F3 Championship with Alan Docking Racing in 2006
• 3rd in 2005 British Formula Three National Class and top Brit
• Awarded BRDC Rising Star membership
• Nominated for McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year
• Visma Software Formula Palmer Audi Champion 2004
• 12 front row starts from 12 rounds, 10 pole positions 
• Visma Software Formula Palmer Audi Winter Series winner 2003

BRDC Rising Star Jonathan Kennard just missed out on winning the opening two rounds of the 2004 Visma Software Formula Palmer Audi Championship at Brands Hatch today, leading both races before a steering problem enabled Rob Jenkinson to move ahead. Eighteen year-old Jonathan from Tunbridge Wells in Kent started the first race from the front row alongside pole-sitter Chris Pennington and at the lights it was Jonathan who made the better getaway to take an immediate lead. 

Lap after lap he eased away from the battle behind until a four-lap safety car period enabled the pack to close up.  At the restart Jenkinson immediately made a move to take second and then dived up the inside of Jonathan on the last lap at Surtees to take the race win.   "I actually love the wet," said Jonathan at the flag.  "But all weekend we've been having a steering problem and the car didn't feel right, it was tough out there with the spray too."

The days second race had Jonathan on pole position and again a superb start gave him the immediate advantage ahead of Stuart Prior with Jenkinson slotting in behind.  As Jonathan's steering problems continued to cause him concern, Jenkinson made his move and although Jonathan put up a spirited fight to regain first position, even getting alongside Jenkinson on the final run to the flag, he fell just short of taking his fourth FPA win but was happy to take away a decent points haul.

"You have to think about the championship as well as race wins," said the Aedas Architects-backed driver. "It's important to get good finishes. I was pushing incredibly hard and I think I was quicker than Rob round the back of the circuit, but I had a bit of understeer creeping in mid-race and Rob had used his tyres better."

The12-round series resumes with rounds 3 and 4 at the historic Monza circuit in Italy on 8/9 May.

Cathy Metcalfe
MPR Associates
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