Tasmanias Josh Burdon has come agonisingly close to a personal double podium in his first international race event in the Euro Racecar Nascar Series for Scorpus Racing at Valencia, SPAIN, this weekend, 29-30th September 2012.
Burdon, who is stepping into the seat of regular driver and 2012 Australian F3 Champion and Gold Star recipient, James Winslow, took third place in Saturdays Sprint Race, but gearbox dramas robbed him in Sundays Endurance Race.
What a weekend, said Josh Burdon, I knew this was going to be an opportunity of a lifetime and I am thrilled to have performed well, in an unknown race car, on an unknown race track, a world away from home.
Im pretty glad that I got my starts in the Australian V8 Ute Series earlier this year, said Burdon, I definitely wouldnt have been as confident if it was the first time with a roof over my head...these drivers are literally crazy, it was so dangerous 220km/h smacking doors that hard.
With technical problems for the Qualifying session preventing the 19 year old from Berriedale (TAS) recording a lap, Burdon was forced to start his first race from P20.
It wasnt an ideal start to the weekend, said Burdon, its not like I expected to be on Pole, but it would have been nice to see where I could have qualified.
Despite starting from the rear of the grid, Burdon set a blistering pace, recording the fastest lap of the race (1:45.038) as he drove through the field to finish third, with Simon Escalliers win heading up a double podium for the Scorpus Racing. A proud moment for me today to finish 3rd from 20th in my Euro Nascar debut this afternoon at Valencia, Spain & setting the quickest lap of the race along the way, said Burdon, it was fantastic to give Scorpus Racing team the result they deserve.
Ive never liked the taste of champagne, til this afternoon.
In Sundays Endurance Race, Burdon took over from Co-Driver, Yann Zimmer, who finished his stint in 8th on the track, before a 30second time penalty was handed out for contact during his race.
Taking it to the field again, Burdon again set a fastest lap during the race and trailed only teammate Simon Escallier, before a late gearbox drama robbed Scorpus Racing of a one-two finish, and dropped Burdon to 15th.
My teammate Yann started the race and handed over the car to me to bring home in 8th position with a 30 second time penalty for an incident with another car, said Burdon, during my stint I managed to get us up into 2nd with another fastest lap before a gearbox failure ended our race.
Burdon will now head to the infamous Circuit Le Mans for the Final of the Euro Racecar Nascar Series in two weeks, 13-14th October 2012.
Bring on Le Mans, France Oct 12-14, I am feeling in good shape and want to take this one out, but for now, time to rest up before heading to Paris on Wednesday for a few days.
