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Continued from News
McFADYEN ADELAIDE'S FASTEST EVER AFTER STUNNING DOUBLE POLE POSITION
EFFORT IN F3 QUALIFYING
Earl Bamber
Neil McFadyen
today recorded the fastest lap ever of the current configuration 3.2km
Adelaide street
circuit – and he just so happened to score a pair of pole position for
round two of the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship in the
process.
McFadyen (Piccola Scuderia Corse Dallara F307 Mercedes Benz) topped both
sessions today – some good fortune combined with scintillating laps
setting him as the favourite heading into the first of two races to be
held tomorrow afternoon.
In qualifying one, to set the grid for race one tomorrow afternoon,
McFadyen timed his run perfectly - banking the quickest lap just as the
session ended.
In blustery, cool conditions, McFadyen knocked Earl Bamber off the top
spot just seconds before a red flag curtailed the opening 20-minute
session three minutes early.
McFadyen lead Bamber by less than one-tenth of a second with points
leader Nathan Caratti third and Ben Clucas fourth.
In qualifying two – held moments after a rain shower washed down the
Adelaide track -McFadyen recorded his stunning lap to lock away the top
spot ahead of James Winslow and Bamber.
His 1m18.5047 was a full second quicker than the outright track (race)
lap record and substantially quicker than the previous best F3
qualifying lap at the circuit, receiving a warm reception from the
73,000 people present at the circuit today.
Only James Winslow – who traded the quick time with McFadyen for most of
the session – seemed to have any consistent answer for the rabid
polesitter, logging a 1m18.9209s lap to seal second on the grid.
”I’m absolutely stoked, it’s just been a perfect day and I’m thrilled to
be on pole for both races,” McFadyen beamed.
”The team has done an awesome job, amazing job, given we have had no
testing. The car has been perfect and I think it’s probably the best car
I’ve ever driven, full stop. It’s a pleasure to drive with the team and
at this track, and today has been great.
”We proved that we had a fast race car at Eastern Creek,” he added. “I
was more concerned about our pace in qualifying rather than our race
speed, but I guess that we have proved that wrong!
”I’m really looking forward to the first race. This is the closest I’m
ever likely to get to F1 and I’m going to make the most of it.”
With second for race one and a narrow third for the second race to be
held Sunday, 17-year old Kiwi sensation Earl Bamber logged his most
promising F3 performance to date.
The Opes Prime BRM Driver was on a flying lap in the dying moments of
the second session – quicker at both the first and second splits than
polesitter McFadyen – but a crash between other competitors at the final
turn hindered his efforts to get the top spot.
”The more I drive the better I’m getting behind the wheel of an F3 car,”
he said.
”I’m really pleased with today – I’m really enjoying the circuit, it’s
my first street circuit and its really good fun to drive. It was tough
to get a clear lap but it’s good to be on the front row for the first
race. I think we can have a good weekend in the two races.”
James Winslow qualified second for race two – after challenging for pole
for a majority of the session – and, along with Bamber, was the leading
light amongst the Opes Prime Team BRM Quartet.
Point’s leader Nathan Caratti scored 3rd and 7th, respectively, whilst
Ben Clucas was consistent in fourth for both sessions.
TanderSport driver Leanne Tander struggled (6th and 8th), whilst
Sydneysider Mat Sofi had a strong run to finish the first session in a
strong fourth place.
Scud Racing's Stuart Kostera proved that there is light at the end of
their long tunnel to develop the teams' new F307 Dallara, dropping into
the 1m19s in the second session to score fifth place on the grid - a
vast improvement on earlier performances.
Tomorrow’s race one will be held at 12:55pm.
Qualifying 1 Results
1. Neil McFadyen (Piccola Scuderia Corse) 1m19.5992
2. Earl Bamber (Opes Prime Team BRM) 1m19.6898
3. Nathan Caratti (Opes Prime Team BRM) 1m20.0492
4. Ben Clucas (Opes Prime Team BRM) 1m20.1428
5. Mat Sofi (Opes Prime Team BRM) 1m20.1664
National Class: Lee Farrell (Opes Prime Team BRM) 1m22.0665
Trophy Class: Justin Tate (Scud Racing) 1m26.1223
Qualifying 2 Results
1. Neil McFadyen (Piccola Scuderia Corse) 1m18.5047
2. James Winslow (Opes Prime Team BRM) 1m18.9209
3. Earl Bamber (Opes Prime Team BRM) 1m18.9903
4. Ben Clucas (Opes Prime Team BRM) 1m19.1082
5. Stuart Kostera (Scud Racing) 1m19.4741
mail your news to editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk
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