Hitech Junior scored its ever first podium finish when Spaniard Miki Monras finished third in the latest round of the Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup at Valencia. Richard Singleton continued his impressive performance with two top ten places to finish top Briton. While Australian Ashley Walsh was unable to repeat his earlier form however finished 21st and 23rd from 35 starters.Sixteen year-old Monras, in his first full in motor racing, showed his intentions right from the start of qualifying. Running fourth quickest the talented teenager was brake-tested by a rival, sending him into the back of the car ahead and launched him into the air. The incident put paid to his chances of maintaining the superb form and although he was classified 15th quickest, the timely delay to repair his car forced him to start the race from the pit lane. From there a stunning drive through the field from dead last saw him finish 19th at the flag.
Singleton, the Formula Renault UK Winterseries Champion, had upheld team honours with tenth quickest in first qualifying with Australian Motor Sport Foundation International Rising Star Walsh in a lowly 27th. In Saturday’s opening race, Singleton maintained position to finish as top Hitech runner with Monras back in 19th and Walsh 21st.
Sunday’s qualifying session had Monras quickest of the trio, posting the eighth quickest time ahead of Singleton in 16th and Walsh 22nd. A superb race by the Barcelona teenager enabled him to steadily progress through the field, overtaking five cars over the course of the race to cross the line third.
Singleton once again showed promise throughout the race and superb pace as he too had a storming drive up to ninth. Twenty year-old Walsh struggled to repeat the form that netted him runner-up in the Formula Ford Championship last season as he crossed the line 23rd.
“It’s great to get our first trophy so early on in our first season in Formula Renault,” said Team owner David Hayle. “All three drove really well again this weekend and I’m sure it won’t be long before podiums are a regular feature. Richard certainly had the pace in the second race and was able to make up a lot of places. However Ashley struggled a bit, mainly I think due to lack of track time, although he improved over the course of the weekend.”
Hitech Junior will be back on track over the weekend of Saturday 5 July and Sunday 6 July in the next rounds of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Championship at the Hungaroring.
