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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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Formula BMW Pacific WOOTTON BRUISED, BUT NOT BROKEN AFTER MACAU SHUNT Australian Formula BMW Junior, Chris Wootton has been cleared of any major injuries after a massive accident in the Formula BMW Pacific support race at the Macau Grand Prix this afternoon. Whilst in a great deal of pain, doctors have concluded that the 20-year-old has heavy bruising of his wrist. He was rushed to hospital from the accident scene with it being suspected his wrist was broken. The crash happened on the opening lap of the encounter – the final race of the 2009 season – and Chris was collected by another competitor at 180kph. With no room for movement on the very tight confines of the iconic Guia circuit, a multi-car pile-up ensued. Such was the damage, Wootton’s Eurasia Motorsport Formula BMW FB02 was rendered a write-off. Chris was hoping to finish off the season strongly and following practice and qualifying, everything was pointing towards an early 21st birthday present. He was the second fastest of the regular drivers during practice and then in qualifying, placed the Eurasia machine off position number six – again the second fastest of the regular Formula BMW Pacific pilots. Such a bruising encounter was today’s race, less than half the 22 car field greeted the chequered flag. The season promised so much, however a great deal of bad luck befell the Queenslander throughout the year. Highlights have included pole position at Sepang and he holds the Formula BMW lap record for the Malaysian circuit. Wooton said afterwards, “I’m in a bit of pain, but otherwise OK. “I was really hoping to finish the season strongly and it looked good, but what can you do when you ‘race’ with people who drive like that? It’s been the same right throughout the year. “Practice and Qualifying were fantastic, I was ecstatic with the pace we showed, the first and third sectors were really good, we were right on pace. The long middle sector, we were a little off the pace and that was the difference between me being further up the grid. “We take a lot of encouragement from the year, there were lots of times we showed some good pace. The bad luck we experienced was just something else. It was just one thing after another. Let’s hope that’s my bad year out of the way and we can build from there. “I have to thank my many supporters from Australia and also Singapore for assisting us this year, principally First Automobile, Fraser Place, Mustica Motors and my family for their unwavering support. “My engineer, Greg Wheeler did a fantastic job in often difficult circumstances and so too Mark Goddard and the Eurasia Motorsport team.”
WOOTTON FINISHES WELL IN JAPAN AFTER 200kph COLLISION Australian Formula BMW Junior, Chris Wootton has had everything bar the kitchen sink thrown at him during the penultimate event of the Formula BMW Pacific season at Okayama in Japan, but has fought back and recorded some decent results. After qualifying fifth, just 0.3 from pole position, Chris’ first race of the weekend was marred by an incident with team-mate Axcil Jefferies on the opening lap. The 20-year-old Queenslander was speared off the track at nearly 200 kilometres an hour by the Zimbabwean. With the rest of the field threading their way around the stricken Eurasia Motorsport machine, Wootton was able to keep motoring and re-join the race. The ridiculous and unnecessary incident dropped the Australian to the rear of the field, whilst Jefferies tried to recover and ultimately watched the rest of the event from the sidelines after finding the path of yet another competitor. Chris aggressively fought his way through the field to greet the chequered flag in ninth placing, his Eurasia Motorsport team praising the maturity displayed in his drive. With that behind him, Chris focused on race two – the penultimate race in Formula BMW Pacific for 2009. Wet conditions blanketed the Okayama circuit (formerly known as Aida) for the race day, which doubled as the latest round of the World Touring Car Championship and Asian Le Mans Series. After getting up to third placing, Chris was tracking well for his second podium of season 2009, until he struck trouble, getting off track and dropping back through the field. Re-joining toward the rear, it was familiar territory for the Australian as he put on a great display of wet weather driving to cross the line eighth. With numerous guest drivers taking part, Wootton was awarded fifth placing points for both races this weekend. The final event of the 2009 season will take place in support to the time honoured Macau Grand Prix in a few weeks time. Chris Wooton - “Once again a pretty frustrating weekend. I felt probably the best that I have done all year. I worked hard before this race in the gym and I could feel the benefit of it straight away. To get taken out by your team-mate – particularly at 200 kilometres an hour – is not only dangerous but downright stupid. I was in shock, I couldn’t believe it, but just had to get back on with the job. “I was pretty aggressive in working my way back through the field and by the end of the race was starting to enjoy it. I wish I didn’t have to do it though. The Eurasia Motorsport team and my engineer, Greg Wheeler dealt with the situation fabulously and they made it a lot easier than it otherwise would have been. “Today, we were tracking for a podium finish, but I just got crossed up and went off track. It was really wet, almost typhoon like conditions they were saying, which made it very difficult to stay on the track. On top of that, visibility was very ordinary. No excuses though, the podium was there, but it wasn’t to be. Next up is Macau. It’s a really tough event with very limited track time, so you have to make every post a winner from the very first time you hit the track. We need a lucky break – ending the season on a high would be very nice for all of us!”
WOOTTON COMES AWAY WITH SOLID SINGAPORE POINTS Australian Formula BMW Junior, Chris Wootton has ended the spectacular Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix support event with two solid finishes, in sixth and eighth places respectively. With plenty of guest drivers being attracted by the lure of impressing the Formula 1 fraternity, it was important that the regular Formula BMW Pacific drivers kept their eyes on the overall Championship point score (as guest drivers don’t score points). From this point of view, Wootton managed to secure a good haul of points – third and fourth place points respectively. Importantly, he managed to finish the two races without incident or damage to his Formula BMW FB02. A disastrous qualifying session saw the youngster qualify in 11th placing for both races – his engine cover coming loose midway through the session, which cost him the chance to chase down pole position. His best two laps (which determined the grid for races one and two respectively) were both the 11th quickest laps of the field. This compromised the overall result, however with the action that unfolded (including two rollovers in race one!) to have the car come home unscathed was a feat in itself. Race one, Chris was lucky to avoid Fahmi Ilyas, who was making his way through the field and almost collided with the Australian and then on the final lap, Wootton got past his Eurasia Motorsport team-mate, Axcil Jefferies, who tagged the wall and subsequently collided with Cao Hong Wei, which pitched the Zimbabwean into a violent roll. The second event was a reasonably lonely affair for the Aussie, a late race Safety Car to clear debris from the track assisted in tightening the field up, but for most of the race, he was on his own. With just three races to go, Chris has his eyes firmly on finishing 2009’s Formula BMW Pacific in the top five, which is now in reach after poor rounds by several drivers surrounding him in the Driver’s Classification. The 20-year-old from Brisbane had a busy week visiting sponsors, including First Automobile, Fraser Place and the One 15 Degree Marina and took time out to meet with a group of disadvantaged youth that were visiting the Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix. Through being a Formula BMW Junior, Chris also had the opportunity to tour the Formula 1 paddock and meet with the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers. The next event for Formula BMW Pacific will be staged in support to the World Touring Car Championship round at Okayama in Japan, October 30 to November 1. The two Singapore races were taken out by Formula BMW Europe Champion, Felipe Nasr from Brazil.
WOOTTON HAPPY WITH CONCLUSION TO CHALLENGING FBMW WEEKEND Australian Formula BMW Junior, Chris Wootton has completed another character building weekend in Formula BMW Pacific at Sentul in Indoneisa, recording two mechanical DNF’s in Saturday's(15 August) rounds 7 and 8 before finishing the two races on Sunday (16 Aug) in seventh and sixth respectively. The weekend started well for the 20-year-old – right on the pace in practice and qualifying, the top five were within half a second. He was confident his race setup would position him well for the four races around the 3.9 kilometre circuit. Race one ended on lap nine when the motor let go in the last corner, Chris coasted to a halt in pit lane. It was discovered the engine had lost all compression. He was tracking well before the failure and keeping with the leaders. Chris was fired up for the second race of the weekend, with a fresh engine behind him. He was looking very good for a strong result before he went off circuit on lap six. It was later diagnosed he’d suffered a brake line failure. Thankfully, the damage done to Eurasia Motorsport Formula BMW FB02 was minor and wouldn’t compromise his starting on Sunday. Having to start the final two races from the rear of the grid, Chris charged through the field to finish seventh in round nine, having raced hard to work his way through the field. In the final race, again from the rear of the grid, he was able to force his way forward to sixth placing. He showed plenty of grit and determination to get that far through and his pace was very similar to that of the front runners even though he was fighting his way through traffic. This has given the Brisbane racer some encouragement despite the disappointment of once again having a weekend start strongly, but having circumstances conspire against him. Chris is hoping his luck turns around at the next event – the Formula 1™ Singtel Singapore Grand Prix over the weekend of September 25-27 – which marks the beginning of the second half of the Formula BMW Pacific season. Despite the two DNF’s, Chris retained seventh placing in the overall Driver’s Classification. Chris Wootton,: What a weekend. Once again, it’s just unbelievable the series of failures that I’ve had this year. Today’s fight through the field in the two races has energised me a lot and I leave feeling far happier than I was after Saturday’s events. “The pace we had would have held us in good stead for the races. Qualifying was tight with only 0.5 of a second separating the front three rows of the grid. I would have liked to be on the front row as I have for the other events, however, the team thought it would work out once racing got underway. “The most frustrating part is that we are there at the front of the field in qualifying, but it is the races that count! “I’m really pleased with the fightback today, though. To come through the field as I did was pleasing and with there only being a few weeks between events, my focus is immediately on Singapore. “It’s going to be a big event for us. We have several sponsors in Singapore and we have a number of events that we’re planning during race week – so it’s going to be busy. I love the circuit there and racing as part of the only Formula 1™ night Grand Prix is exciting, the atmosphere is second to none.”
CHRIS WOOTTON
SURVIVES HUGE ROLLOVER, THEN GRABS MAY 31, 2009: The nightmare continued for Australian Formula BMW Junior Chris Wootton at Sepang International Circuit today, after a coming together with Ryo Haryanto sent the Queenslander into a vicious roll at the start of Round 5, however the Eurasia Motorsport team were able to get him out for Round 6, salvaging a sixth place. Following yesterday’s disappointments, Wootton was hoping to advance through the field and at least take something out of the weekend, but that didn’t last a lap after a coming together with Haryanto sent the Australian into orbit. After a trip to the on-site Medical Centre – where concern was shown for some soreness in his knee – Wootton gathered his thoughts and quickly realised his Eurasia Motorsport Formula BMW FB02 was severely damaged. All four corners and the rear wing had to be replaced, which the team worked overtime to do and got him back on track for the final race of the weekend. Starting in 10th position, the 20-year-old was able to finish in sixth, but still leaves Sepang bitterly disappointed after setting his first Pole Positions for Formula BMW Pacific yesterday. To draw another positive from the weekend is that Chris walks away with the new qualifying lap record for Formula BMW Pacific at Sepang.
WOOTTON GRABS FIRST POLE POSITION, BUT DAY ENDS IN DISAPPOINTMENT May 30, 2009 After setting his first pole position for both rounds of Formula BMW Pacific at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia this afternoon, Australian Formula BMW Junior, Chris Wootton has been left disappointed after being taken out in separate incidents in both events. The day started superbly – in qualifying, Chris edged fellow Formula BMW Junior and Eurasia Motorsport team-mate, Axcil Jeffries for round three and Irishman, Gary Thompson for round four by mere hundredths of a second. Unfortunately, things unravelled for the Brisbane-based youngster when it came to racing, through no fault of his own. He got a sensational start in the opening race, however was collected heading into turn one. To add insult to injury, he copped another hit on the front of his car, which ended the race then and there. There’s a fair chance he would have been able to continue without the second hit. The Eurasia Motorsport team worked overtime to get the car ready for round four and lift Chris’ spirits. Chris made a stellar beginning to the fourth race of the season, yet it was slowed by Safety Car. Controlling the pace from the front, Chris made a smooth getaway and all on hand felt he could go on to win the race. Unfortunately, one of his rivals had other ideas and drilled the Queenslander, leaving him beside the track wondering what might have been. Today’s results determine the grid for tomorrow, meaning Chris will be starting from the rear of the grid and is faced with working his way through the field. Chris is taking a positive view that this could work to his benefit, should the same action happen at the front. Tomorrow will see rounds five and six of the 2009 Formula BMW Pacific season contested, where the 20-year-old aims to strike back and put this bad luck – along with the entire Formula BMW Pacific field – behind him and record his first wins in Formula BMW.
SECOND AGAIN FOR WOOTTON IN FBMW PACIFIC RD 2 Australian Formula BMW Junior, Chris Wootton has scored his second consecutive runner up placing in Formula BMW Pacific, under changeable conditions at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. The Brisbane-based 20-year-old exorcised yesterday’s startline demons and made a magnificent start – his lead out to around 15 car lengths as the field approached the final turn on lap one. Being the leader, Wootton was the pioneer when it came to testing out track conditions and catching a waterlogged piece of racetrack, he went off the circuit, dropping back to third. Several other competitors were guilty of the same mistake. Ultimately, he was able to fight his way back to second in the shortened race, finishing behind Indonesian race winner, Rio Haryanto. Finishing third was Irishman, Gary Thompson. Typically hot and sweaty conditions greeted teams and spectators as they arrived for the Formula 1™ PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix race day. A deluge struck early afternoon, which dried out significantly ahead of the Formula BMW Pacific event. Opinion was divided among the paddock as to whether slicks or wets were the logical choice. Eurasia Motorsport sent Chris out on his observation lap on wets, before changing to slicks on the grid. After consulting the driver over the car radio during the observation lap, all considered it the correct choice, with others around him also choosing the dry weather Michelin tyres. Only half points were awarded for today’s Round 2 of Formula BMW Pacific after the race was shortened due to time constraints. Chris sits second in Formula BMW Pacific points after this weekend’s sensational start. He is pleased with the foundation he and the Eurasia Motorsport team have built for the remainder of the season. Wootton, “I’m happy with the result overall – it shows that we have pace and we’ve got a great platform for the rest of the season. It’s going to be very, very tight between Gary, Rio and I right throughout the season, but we’ve shown we’re right in there. “Today was a little disappointing. Getting such a great start, I was about to settle into a rhythm and then went off track, but that’s how it goes sometimes. We were the first one to come around under racing conditions, so you never know what it’s going to be like. Unfortunately, we were caught out. All isn’t lost. To walk away second in points is a great start to the season. "I have to thank the Eurasia Motorsport team again, they have done a brilliant job this weekend and also to BMW, who have given me the opportunity to be part of the Formula BMW Junior Program again this year.It’s a sensational program and I’m extremely proud to be the second year Formula BMW Junior representative in Formula BMW Pacific.” AUSTRALIAN CHRIS WOOTTON BATTLES TO SECOND IN FBMW PACIFIC ROUND 1 Round 1: Formula BMW Pacific Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia Chris Wootton has shown some true Aussie determination this afternoon in Round 1 of Formula BMW Pacific, overcoming an aerodynamic deficiency to finish second at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia. After yesterday qualifying second – missing pole position by an agonising six one-hundredths of a second (0.06), Chris was determined to make amends today, however, being swamped off the line, he dropped to sixth at the first turn. Fighting his way back through the field, the Australian Formula BMW Junior was touched from behind at turn four on the opening lap, which pushed the 20-year old Brisbane-based driver’s car into the competitor directly in front of him, damaging the left front wing endplate. From there, he battled valiantly – the long straightaways of the Sepang International Circuit were hurting him, although he continued to show strong pace. All weekend he has been fastest in Sectors 1 and 3 and during the race, this trend continued. Despite the aero problems he was experiencing, his Eurasia Motorsport Formula BMW FB02 proved superb in most sections of the racetrack. Although an eventful race – which saw plenty action both in front and behind him – Chris was able to come home in second placing – behind pole-sitter, Irishman, Gary Thompson. Tomorrow’s Round 2 of Formula BMW Pacific will see Chris start alongside Thompson on the front row of the grid. He’s hoping to get a better start and be on racing terms with the younger driver for the entire 10 lap distance. Chris Wooton: “We’re very happy with the result, considering the fact I had major front end downforce issues from basically the start. “We couldn’t have asked for anything more all things considered. Championship wise, it’s a fantastic result. After getting an ordinary start and being bottled up on the first lap, to come through and finish second is very pleasing. “As for qualifying, to miss pole by six-one-hundredths yesterday was so frustrating! The team thought the effort was awesome, but I wasn’t so thrilled! “Reflecting on today’s race, there was plenty happening out there. Aside from the opening lap, we were lucky to get through much of the trouble and could run our own race. To consistently set the fastest times in Sectors 1 and 3 as we have done throughout the weekend is credit to Greg Wheeler and the Eurasia Motorsport team. It shows they have my Formula BMW FB02 dialled in well. As for Sector 2…I’ll work on that tomorrow! “On tomorrow’s race, I’ll be on the front row alongside Gary once again. I know what I did off the start and will rectify it. I’m aiming to be right with him from the beginning so I don’t get caught in the mess as I was today. “We have a few of our Asian supporters here over the weekend and it’s great they can see us doing well. We’re so aappreciative of their support and I really hope we can go one better tomorrow for them!”
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