May 03, 2018

 

Formula Palmer Audi race winner and Ginetta Junior Winter Series champion Kieran Vernon has been unveiled as Downforce Racing's newest recruit, teaming up with current Ginetta Junior Championship leader Luke Browning for the remainder of the World GT seri

Vernon - a multiple karting champion including Super One, double TKM champion and three-time British Open champion - has won several accolades through his junior racing career including being runner-up in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2007, as well as being a front-runner and race winner in Formula Palmer Audi, MSV F3 Cup, BRDC Formula 4 and MSA Formula Ford.

Now the driver coach for Luke Browning - who has won three of the last five Ginetta Junior races in 2018 and leads the standings heading to Thruxton - Vernon has been recruited to help strengthen the setup and development of Downforce Racing as a strong unit.

"Downforce Racing is using GPVWC as a testbed to bring professional racers into sim racing," said team boss Jake Sanson today. "Kieran is more than capable of learning the ropes in 2018 and by season's end challenging for victories. Coupled with his already strong bond with Luke, the two of them could be an unbeatable combination for the future.

"Sim racing is no longer about video games and play - it's a serious sport. Our driver choices in both our squads is a reflection of that. We've gone for real racing drivers in all 4 seats because that's how good you need to be to win in GPVWC."

Rumours have been circling of late about Browning's potential signing to a Formula Challenge team full-time after some stellar testing times, but Downforce Racing team boss Jake Sanson has moved to quash any possible hint that he would race for any team other than Downforce Racing.

"I even asked Luke about this last week when I was approached by a team to sign him for the remainder of 2018," Sanson confessed. "But Luke is adamant - 'I'll only race for you' he's told me. Besides, I'm happy with Luke and Kieran working together in GT and ITC as the cars will suit their driving styles.

"I'd like to see Harry (Graham) and Tom (Davison) continuing to move forward in Formula Challenge, and our target is promotion into SuperCup for 2019. We have a feeling that the second half of our season will be even stronger than the first."