By MICHAEL GUERIN
Mark Jones won one battle last night but admitted he struggling in another.
The outstanding driving talent captured the New Zealand Junior Drivers' Championships with a second and a fourth in the two heats at Addington.
That was enough to see him win the title again from Glenys Buchanan, who was the star of last night's meeting driving both heat winners.
The championship win comes near the end of a season in which Jones has dominated the junior ranks, winning a record 90 races.
After some bad luck earlier in the meeting Jones was able to add only two wins to his tally last night, keeping alive his faint hopes of becoming the first New Zealand junior to drive 100 winners in a season.
"I won't be giving up but it will be very hard from now on," said Jones.
"I had some good drives tonight and didn't really have a lot of luck early on even though Them There Eyes won well later on.
"I now won't be coming to Alexandra Park tomorrow night but I still hope to come up for the remaining junior drivers races at the meeting up there this season.
"At least if I can't get to 100 wins for the season I will have this title to add to what has been a great season."
Jones will lose his junior licence at the end of this month even though he is only 21, because he has driven far more than the 50 wins allowed for a driver in their first four years.
"That is disappointing but I will just have to try harder to make a go of it next season. With the support I have had from owners and trainers hopefully things will be fine."
While Jones captured the title, last night's double should provide Buchanan with a timely boost.
She has recently left leading trainer Mark Purdon to return to Canterbury and work with her father Bryce and last night would have done her chances of securing additional drives in the South Island no harm.
Racing: Jones scores title but 100 unlikely
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.