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A great start for the new boysThe CR Scuderia team got the 2008 FIA GT Championship season off to a flying start at Silverstone this weekend, taking second and fifth places in a race run in difficult weather conditions. The new team is delighted to take such a top result, along with yesterday’s pole position, in its first international race. “You have to remember this is a new team,” said Rob Bell, who started the race in Ferrari no.56. “It’s a great achievement to get a podium finish the first time out. A few things happened that we need to learn from; our tyre choice at the start wasn’t quite right, but we will learn and grow as a team. We’re very pleased to come away with second place as the changeable conditions dealt out by Silverstone in April are very tricky. This result is all down to the guys who have worked hard here
Andrew Kirkaldy took over from Rob just before the half way mark and
found himself all alone on the track.
LEADING THE WAY
The CR Scuderia team leaves Knockhill tonight with a healthy lead in the 2008 Avon Tyres British GT Championship, and with Michael Cullen and Paddy Shovlin riding high in the driver's championship. The team had a tough race today so yesterday's win remains the highlight of CR Scuderia's GT weekend. Today's race turned into quite a battle for the CRS drivers. James and Michael's race in Ferrari no.14 was going well with James running strongly in third during his stint. Meadows took over and was fighting for second place with just 10 minutes to go before his race ended in the barriers after an altercation with an Aston Martin, a matter currently under investigation. Luke brought no.16 into the pits in sixth place with the rear diffuser hanging off after being hit. The team made fast repairs and sent Jeremy out for his run but his efforts too were ended by another competitor which is also under investigation! Michael Cullen started the race from the back of the grid and had to battle with a Lamborghini during the first half of the race. Paddy Shovlin took over and continued the fight all the way up to fifth, earning the Irish drivers another haul of points and an increased championship lead. CR Scuderia Ferrari no.15: Michael Cullen & Paddy Shovlin PADDY SHOVLIN: "The race was all about consistency today. Everyone gets too involved here and, like yesterday, the best way was to keep it together and not join in with all the games. Michael and I drove within our limits and got another good result. To leave the second event still leading the championship is great!" CR Scuderia Ferrari no.16: Luke Hines &
Jeremy Metcalfe
LUKE HINES: "I had my mirrors full of an Ascari during my stint so I made sure I kept him behind me. I got hit quite a few times and eventually had to pit as the rear diffuser was hanging off. We were unlucky today but that's racing. It was more like touring car racing than GT racing which is great for the spectators but pretty expensive for the teams. We're still pleased though as we got our first win yesterday." JEREMY METCALFE: "The damage we took to the rear of the car cost us a bit of time but we worked our way up to eighth and were going well when Bamford turned in on me and that was it, game over. The team did everything they could and so did Luke and I but sometimes, whatever you do, it just doesn't go your way." CR Scuderia Ferrari no.14: James Sutton & Michael Meadows
MICHAEL MEADOWS: "I was going through turn one when the Aston went wide so I went past but he squeezed me onto the grass and I took a trip into the barrier." James and Michael will be out to take their first British GT race victory in six weeks time when the British GT Championship returns to Rockingham.
Victory Nio 1!!
Paddy Shovlin and
Michael Cullen stormed to victory at Oulton Park, taking the first win
of the 2008 British GT season and the first victory for the CR Scuderia
team. The Irish pair drove a faultless race and took a thoroughly
deserved victory in a race that was shortened due to some on-track
dramas. mail your
news to editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk |
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