TUNBRIDGE WELLS Mayor Julia Soyke revealed her enthusiasm for motorsport last week when she invited the Frant based race team Jota Sport to celebrate their recent success at the Town Hall.
Members of the squad regaled the Mayor about their time at the Le Mans 24 Hour race in June, which saw the team make history by coming both first and second in their LMP2 class and second and third overall.
The team, which runs the cars in association with Jackie Chan DC Racing, is also winning in the World Endurance Championships and this weekend will be hoping to extend their lead in Mexico.
They are currently halfway through the season, with other races in the US, Japan, China and Bahrain yet to go.
However Jackie Chan is so pleased with their performance to date that, along with Jota, is looking at buying two additional cars so they can simultaneously compete in the Asian Le Mans Series next year and the Daytona 24 hour race.
Mayor Soyke said: “I am very enthusiasti about this team right on our doorstep and very impressed with all that they have achieved in motor racing, culminating in the amazing results in the most recent Le Mans race.
“They are a fantastic local example of outstanding success through great teamwork and
leadership, and I shall certainly be following their progress in Mexico and other races this year, wishing them continuing success.”
Team Principal and co-founder Sam Hignett said the Jota staff were ‘delighted’ to get the Mayor’s invite to the Town Hall.
“It is always nice to be recognised in your local area and we appreciated the Mayor taking the time out to meet with us. “She was very enthusiastic and supportive of what we are doing and I get the feeling she is a bit of a petrol head herself.”
