Pacy Palmowski races to two podiums at Donington Park

Glossop’s teenage driving sensation Alisha Palmowski put in a solid showing at the penultimate round of the GB4 Championship at Donington Park.

She scorched to two podiums from three races on the former F1 circuit, battling against tricky weather conditions to finish 3rd in Race 1 behind winner Lucas Blakeley and Elite Motorsport teammate Finn Harrison. 

Championship leader Linus Granfors splashed his way to the chequered flag in Race 2, with Blakeley and Harrison knocking Alisha into 4th. 

The final race of the weekend saw Harry Burgoyne claim his first GB4 win, with Blakeley completing a full collection of podium places in 2nd, and Palmowski once again in 3rd after hunting down Dan Hickey. 

“A great result,” the former St Philip Howard pupil said afterwards. “That’s our ninth podium of the year and I’m really pleased to come away with those points.  

“Reverse grid races are always tricky, so pretty much damage limitation and trying to bring the car back in one piece, and obviously I’m looking at the championship, which is really essential for me. But a great result, I was aiming for a podium this race, so just really pleased to end the weekend on a high. 

“I had so much more pace when I caught up to him [Dan Hickey] especially through the high-speed corners like Old Hairpin when there was a lot of understeer that nearly caught me out for a few laps when I initially caught him. It took me a little bit longer than I would’ve liked and the front two had already got away.  

She also praised Harry Burgoyne for his tenacity in holding off a waspish Lucas Blakeley. 

“Congratulations to Harry, I know it’s his first race win, so that’s great to see. I’m glad we managed to get a podium in the end.” 

The results leave Palmowski in 2nd place in the individual standings, 35 points behind Lucas Granfors and two points clear of Burgoyne going into the final weekend of action at Brands Hatch on September 28-29.