Lola’s Formula three chassis – the B05/30 returned to the winners circle this weekend at Mondello Park in Ireland after a dominant display by Steven Kane who celebrated his first overall win in the series. After many frustrating races where his pace and racecraft have been negated by terrible luck, it was a richly merited and popular win for the Promatecme run driver.
Clearly the class of the field throughout the weekend, Kane was fastest in each of the qualifying sessions to take a brilliant pair of pole positions, the second of which saw the Ulsterman joined on the front row by Danilo Dirani in his P1 Motorsport entered Lola. It was the first time since 1993 that a Dallara chassis had not been on the front row of the grid and the Huntingdon built car’s strong finish to the 2005 British Formula Three International series points to assaults on next seasons F3 titles.
Kane’s F3 breakthrough came in race two, after the earlier race saw him slip to third overall, a legacy of a slow start and fading brakes towards the end of the 17 lap race. Notching up his first podium place of the season was some consolation to the Damon Hill managed driver but later in the afternoon, he showed what he could really do, given a clean start and a clear track in front of him.
“Everything went to plan eventually and it is great to get this monkey off my back after so many frustrating weekends this year,” said Kane after heading the field home by a huge 11 second margin. “I just took off at the start and that was it really, I was only driving at 80% and in full control until the chequered flag. The car was perfect. This has been on the cards for a while now and I knew that when everything fell in to place and we had a bit of luck we would be unstoppable. It’s great for Lola, the team and everyone and to do it here at Mondello is very satisfying indeed.”
Kane now moves on to Silverstone in three weeks time intent on more wins in his Neil Brown prepared Mugen-Honda engined Lola. However he will also be in action next weekend at the inaugural A1 GP meeting when he drives a Porsche in the TAG Heur 250 combined GT and Touring Car race.
Danilo Dirani had another promising weekend after starting the first race in 5th place, a position that he held to the chequered flag. Race two saw the Brazilian make a fine start as he slotted in behind Kane. But his race was cruelly interrupted by 2005 champion Alvaro Parente, who hit the P1 Motorsport Lola in the rear and spun it off at the first corner. Danilo regained the track and began a breathtaking recovery drive that saw him cut through the field from 22nd place to 7th, only for a clash with Bruno Senna and a technical problem to intervene and forced his retirement.
“It should have been a weekend where we took 4th place in the championship,” said Dirani. “ But like so many races this year, luck was not on our side. Alvaro took me out at the first corner and was not even alongside me so it was a poor move from him. But after that I had a good race, overtaking many cars which is not easy at this track. Overall, I think it is a great challenge to drive here, with not many places for a driver to rest which makes concentration doubly important during the race.”
The popular 2.268 mile circuit near Naas in Ireland has undergone significant upgrades in recent years and now hosts a variety of top motorsport events including the British Touring Car Championship races and British Superbikes.
Charlie Hollings was again the pacesetter in the national class during qualifying for the first race, taking a convincing pole position. From the grid, he led champion elect Salvador Duran, but despite a pre-race discussion with the Mexican, an accident removed both cars from the running at the first corner on lap 2.
“Before the start, Salvador said that if I got the better start and was quicker, then he would not be overly aggressive as he needed the points for the Championship,” said Hollings after the race. “That was fine with me, but at the first corner he must have misjudged his braking point because he just crashed in to the back of me and we were both out of the race. I like Salvador and he was very apologetic and honest about it afterwards, but obviously it is very disappointing.”
CHARLIE HOLLINGS WAS DISAPPOINTED AFTER BEING THE INNOCENT VICTIM OF A COLLISION
Race two saw the yellow and black Lola-Dome line up in 3rd place and after another good start he was soon in second place and challenging class leader, Jonathan Kennard’s ADR Dallara. A typically determined attempt on wresting the lead at the final corner almost came off but ultimately the Yorkshireman had to settle for 2nd place this time.
“We should have had a first and a second this weekend but it was not to be through no real fault of my own,” concluded Hollings. “I won at Silverstone last month so now my aim is to finish the season as strongly as possible, hopefully with more wins.”
The weekend however, definitely belonged to Steven Kane and the Promatecme UK team. Still basking in the victorious glow from his countries recent footballing humiliation of England, Kane can now count himself a fellow winner in the ultra competitive world of the British Formula Three International series.
Championship class points
1. Alvaro Parente (PT) Carlin Motorsport 289 – Champion
2. Charlie Kimball (USA) Carlin Motorsport 204
3. Mike Conway (GB) Fortec Motorsport 174
4. Marko Asmer (EST) Hitech Racing 141
5. Dan Clarke (GB) RR Racing 140
6. Danilo Dirani (BR) P1 Motorsport 132
7. Christian Bakkerud (DK) Carlin Motorsport 118
8. Ryan Lewis (GB) T-Sport 115
9. Steven Kane (GB) Promatecme UK 95
10. James Walker (GB) Fortec Motorsport 63
National class
1. Salvador Duran (MEX) P1 Motorsport 268
2. Barton Mawer (AUS) T-Sport 244
3. Jonathan Kennard (GB) ADR 209
4. Josh Fisher (GB) Team SWR 203
5. Charlie Hollings (GB) Promatecme UK 196
6. Juno Annala (SF) ADR 151
7. Ben Clucas (GB) Fluid Motorsport 80
