FOR SERIES LEADER BREEZE
Total Control Racing continued its winning ways in the Michelin Ginetta G50 Cup at the fastest circuit on the calendar, Thruxton in Hampshire, Saturday, 25th April, with series leader Carl Breeze extending his advantage with a fault-free performance.
Lining up second on the grid for the first of the weekend’s three races, the Kings Lynn driver made a good start to grab the lead from pole-sitter Daniel Welch and was never headed throughout the 11 lap encounter – even though he was under huge pressure throughout.
Increasing his championship lead to 38 points after four of 28 rounds, Breeze continued to ensure TCR maintains its place as the premier team in Ginetta G50 at the moment and now heads into rounds five and six on Sunday, 26th April, hoping to taste more victory champagne.
Team-mate Fulvio Mussi also enjoyed a great getaway, moving up from eighth on the grid into the top four and after a hard-fought battle with Christian Dick and Nathan Freke, the Colchester driver eventually came home in fifth position to consolidate his fifth place in the driver standings.
TCR newcomer Joachim Ritter, who only confirmed his switch to the West Midlands squad just over a week prior to the race meeting, finished round four in 14th place and is also 14th in the championship, albeit tied on 32 points with Daniel Welch and Hampus Rydman.
“It’s been a pretty good day for us”, said TCR team boss Lee Brookes, “We knew (Daniel) Welch would be quick here, it’s his local track and he knows it very well. Carl did a fantastic job at the start and then controlled things from there. It’s another brilliant result and great for the championship.
“Fulvio did a good job to finish fifth having started eighth, we’re pleased with his performance again and it won’t be long before he’s on the podium. Obviously Joachim had his first run with us this weekend and he consolidated his championship position with a 14th place finish.”
Three podiums from three races for Clio ace MacDowallIn round three of the ELF Renault Clio this afternoon, TCR’s Alex MacDowall took his third podium in as many races to extend the gap over his championship pursuers and also to remain in touch with series leader Philip Glew.
While qualifying was disappointing for the son of veteran racer Ray MacDowall, the eighth fastest time the best he could manage, the Carlisle youngster made an outstanding start and climbed into second place on the opening lap where he would stay to the chequered flag on lap 15.
Mike Robinson was the next highest placed TCR driver in eighth to move three spots up the points standings, Sam Tordoff claimed a determined 13th place and Jamie Ackers – who had been on for a season best top 14 finish – ended the race 16th after being hit by James Colburn at the Club Chicane on the final lap as they duelled for position.
“We didn’t have the best qualifying performance out of Alex but to go from eighth to second on the first lap was incredible”, said Brookes, “He did struggle a bit and at the end couldn’t quite stay with (Philip) Glew but another second place, his third podium of the year, keeps the championship looking good. He needs to make another good start tomorrow so hopefully he can do the same again.
“Mike was a bit unfortunate but eighth wasn’t a bad result and Sam had some bad luck after doing a brilliant job in qualifying to go sixth fastest. We’re all very disappointed for Jamie as he was having a good run until the last corner when (James) Colburn crashed into him. At least he recovered to finish and score some points.”
TCR’s first track outing tomorrow, Sunday, 26th April, will come with the fifth round of the Michelin Ginetta G50 Cup at 10.45. The team’s ELF Renault Clio Cup squad will head out for round four of that championship at 12.55 before the G50 team is back in action at 16.00. The second two encounters are expected to be screened live on ITV4 – check listings for further details.
Provisional 2009 ELF Renault Clio Cup Standings (after Rd3):Drivers: 2nd Alex MacDowall, 83pts; 9th Mike Robinson, 30pts; 12th Sam Tordoff, 24pts; 19th Jamie Ackers, 12ptsTeam: 2nd Total Control Racing, 121pts
Provisional 2009 Michelin Ginetta G50 Cup Standings (after Rd4):1st Carl Breeze, 139pts; 5th Fulvio Mussi, 74pts; 14th Joachim Ritter, 32pts
