DEAN Stirling (Shamley Green, Guildford) won his second 2005 race this weekend as the Formula Renault BARC Championship wound up at Oulton Park.Victory secured the 19-year-old third place in the overall championship in his debut single-seater season, with Nick Wilcox (Camberley, Surrey) winning by 25 points despite sitting the round out. “The season has been a learning curve for me,” said Stirling, who hopes to move into Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin for 2006. “I’ve been getting better and better throughout the rounds. It’s a shame we didn’t have a wet race because I’ve always been really quick in the rain.”Second place in the championship went to Matt Russell (Harlesden, London) who had to fight hard in Saturday’s race for a third place finish. “I lost a position to Pierre Renom off the start because of too much wheel spin,” said the 21-year-old. “But then I out-braked him at Lodge and we were side-by-side into Old Hall which was a good bit of racing. After that I was going hell-for-leather giving it all I could but the leading two were too far in front for me to do anything about it. I maintained second in the championship and that was the goal.”Single-seater novice Alex Morgan (Bridgend, Wales) scored another podium in only his third Formula Renault race after winning his first at Snetterton last month. “I wanted to get used to the whole car racing thing before joining Formula Renault UK next season,” said the 18-year-old. “It’s been about learning how to defend, qualify and all the other things that are different from karts. I think I’ve done a good job and next season I’ll be going for the Graduate Cup.”In the concurrent Club Class category, which uses pre-2000 cars, Ian Pearson (Didcot, Oxon) failed to maintain his 100% record after spinning off. It was a disappointing end to a problematic weekend that saw the 25-year-old qualifying at the back after mechanical problems.His loss was James Heffernan’s (London) gain as the 26-year-old took his maiden victory in the championship. “I’m extremely happy,” said Heffernan. “I wasn’t even sure if I was going to turn up today. Ian did give me a little kiss goodbye before he left the track on the first hairpin after a rather ambitious move up the inside. That kind of helped me along because it stopped me having to worry about him.”Pearson’s dad, Bob (Didcot, Oxon) got the second step on the podium – his first trophy of 2005. “It was a bit of an easy one because so many people dropped out,” said the 58-year-old. “At least one of us has been on the podium but I’d have gladly taken third to see Ian on the top step again.”Third in the club class was Carolyn Barker (Sudbury). “It’s very encouraging,” said the 46-year-old. “Snetterton was awful for lots of reasons and I was very demoralized but now I’ve really enjoyed Oulton Park.”

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