For HSCC Title Push
Michael Lyons has confirmed he will forego the last two rounds of the 2008 Formula Renault BARC season at Silverstone this weekend, 4th/5th October, to instead compete in the clashing Historic Formula Ford Championship event a short distance up the M1 motorway at Donington Park.The 17-year-old, who lives in Felsted, can wrap-up the 2008 Historic Formula Ford title during the penultimate Historic Sports Car Club meeting of the year, therefore the event takes precedence for Michael over the Formula Renault BARC finale.Arriving at Donington Park leading the Historic Formula Ford Championship after a very competitive season at the wheel of his classic Merlyn Mk11A single-seater, the talented youngster is aiming to clinch the title with one round to spare.From a Formula Renault BARC perspective, a season of misfortune has prevented the teenage racer from making the inroads he wanted although he has achieved three top 10 finishes, with a best result of seventh place, during his first full year of competition in contemporary machinery with Derbyshire-based team Hillspeed.Although disappointed not to see Michael contest the season-closing Formula Renault BARC races at Silverstone on Sunday, Hillspeed team principal Richard Ollerenshaw fully understands the importance of the HSCC event.He commented: “Obviously we’d have loved to see Mick in the BARC car at Silverstone but we fully understand the opportunity to win the Historic Formula Ford title is extremely important to him. It’s a shame both events clash but we wish Mick the very best of luck and hope Donington proves to be incredibly successful for him.”Although missing the last two races of the Formula Renault BARC season, Michael will quickly return to contemporary single-seaters for the four-round Formula Renault UK Winter Championship which begins at the start of November. Having already agreed a deal with Hillspeed, he’ll make the step-up to full Formula Renault UK specification.For Hillspeed, meanwhile, the weekend’s Formula Renault BARC action at Silverstone will see the team field cars for Menasheh Idafar, Ahmad Al Harthy and newcomer James Theodore.
