Rolling onto Rockingham

Official Review:-

The UK Formula Ford Championship reaches the half way mark as it heads to Rockingham, near Corby, next weekend (21^st and 22^nd June) for Rounds 9 and 10 of the season and things are as action-packed as ever. 

Two weeks ago saw Round 7 being fought over two days at the home of British Motorsport, Silverstone. A long accident delay in Round 7 (Saturday 7^th June) saw the race re-scheduled to Sunday (8^th June) and consequently Round 8 will now be contested later in the season.

However once the drivers retook their positions on the grid, spectators were treated to a thrilling nine-lap dash. Comtec’s Tom Gaymor lead the entire race and managed to pull away from the chasing pack consisting of team-mate Dan Clarke, Alx Danielsson (Ray Sport) and championship leader Tom Kimber-Smith.

Gaymor maintained his lead and was overjoyed at taking his maiden win in the Formula. His visit to the top step of the podium has seen him leap up the championship point’s table to from sixth to third with 130 points.

Despite taking second place, however, Panasonic Batteries Racing Team JLR’s Tom Kimber-Smith (Wokingham) increased his lead on the championship leader board and is clear of his nearest rival Nexa Racing’s Valle Makela by 15 points. 

Reading teenager Ben Clucas, Jamun Racing, has been relegated to fourth place after a dramatic accident at Copse Corner saw an end to his race on Saturday. Clucas is hoping his run of back luck has finished after scoring three consecutive DNFs and is looking forward to piloting his new 2003 Mygale.

Medina Sport’s Matt Howson’s performance at the Northamptonshire circuit paid off and has jumped three places up the point’s table to fifth position on 108. A collison in the re-started race put an end to Raysport’s Alx Danielsson’s podium hopes, however he remains in the running for the title, currently in sixth place on 108.

Meanwhile Stephen Jelley, Medina Sport, maintains his grip on top position in the Avon Tyres Scholarship Class on 169 points. However Panasonic Batteries Racing Team JLR driver James Walker has eaten into his lead by five points after his impressive performance two weeks ago.  The Jersey teenager picked up extra points for fastest lap and pole position.

After a disappointing DNF at Thruxton Jay Howard, Team MDR, found his form again, scoring a third place at Silverstone. The result has bolstered his points tally and is just 21 points short of Walker.

In fourth place is Peter Chambers Motorsport’s Julian Yap (Uxbridge), who has been at the top of the leader board since the start of the season with his consistent driving. Mexican Antonio Perez (Team MDR) is hot on his exhaust fumes on 118 points and is itching to be back on the podium after his maiden win at Brands earlier this year. Team-mate Nigel Redwood, is just behind him on 112 points.

The UK Formula Ford Championship will be on track on Thursday 19^th June at Rockingham, near Corby for official testing.

Qualifying will take place on Saturday 21^st June at 10.30am and Round 9 of the championship will take place at 16.00 in the afternoon. Round 10 is scheduled to commence at 14.15pm on Sunday 22^nd June.