Leading Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series team Double R Racing made strong progress with 2012 signings Fahmi Ilyas and Duvashen Padayachee at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit today, Thursday, 22nd March, during the second of two officially timed test days at the track.After spending Wednesday morning's run at the Northamptonshire venue largely bedding-in Ilyas' newly built Dallara F312, the Malaysian got down to business today by posting the ninth fastest time in the first session, the 11th best lap in session two and the 10th fastest time in session three.Ilyas' quickest lap of the day, 1m55.073 seconds (114.51mph), came during the first morning session which ultimately proved to be the fastest outing of the day. In the afternoon the 20-year-old got to within just a few hundredths of a second of his earlier best, lapping within 0.9 seconds of the pace at that time, but had to settle for 11th on the times overall for the day in his Mercedes-powered car.Double R's National Class competitor Duvashen Padayachee continued to make improvements ahead of his first ever season racing at this level, the 21-year-old Australian impressing by ending the day less than 0.1 seconds shy of Formula Ford and Formula Renault graduate Daniel Cammish and just 0.2 seconds adrift of compatriot Spike Goddard.As with team-mate Ilyas, Padayachee's best time came in session one where he lapped the 3.66-mile circuit in a time of 1m56.489 seconds (113.12mph). Second fastest of the four National Class drivers present in session one, the F3 rookie was fourth fastest in session two and third quickest in the final run of the day - ahead of Goddard."We're very pleased with how well the new car has run, it's testament to Dallara and the quality of the F312", said Double R boss Anthony 'Boyo' Hieatt, "It didn't miss a beat and I think that also shows what a great job the boys have done since Saturday in getting the car ready for Silverstone, to catch up with the other teams who've had the new car for months is good going."Considering this test is the first time Fahmi has been in a car in five months, he did a great job. He blew the cobwebs away on Wednesday and he should have been quicker today but for a couple of mistakes on his best lap. He's disappointed not to have ended the test further up the times but the pace is there and we're pleased with the progress."Hieatt added: "Duvashen had another good day, he's definitely getting there and is within touching distance of the others now. The progress is getting better, and quicker, each time we're on track and the more time he has in the car, the closer he's going to get to the competition."Official pre-season testing continues next Wednesday, 28th March, at Oulton Park in Cheshire - the venue for the opening three rounds of the 2012 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series on 6th/7th April.
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