2010 Radical UK Cup Champion Ross Kaiser wins Sunoco Daytona Challenge and is now heading to Daytona!
Ross Kaiser racing in the Radical UK Cup had to perform to 100% at the final round at Silverstone 11-12th of September to put pressure on 2010 British F3 Champion Jean-Eric Vergne. Jean-Eric had been in fantastic form throughout 2011 and was heading the challenge at this point on 105.83 average points per race. An amazing tally considering that you get 100 points for a race win. Jean-Eric’s above race win average points was boosted by regularly scoring 20 points per race for pole position and the same for fastest lap. What makes his average score up to the penultimate race weekend at Brands Hatch last weekend even more amazing is that last year’s British F3 Champion Daniel Ricciardo (finishing second in the Sunoco Daytona Challenge) finished on 75.50 points and last year’s winner Derek Johnston won on 77.50 average points per race.
At Silverstone Ross Kaiser knew that only perfect would do but was concerned with the massive grid on display as both the Radical UK Cup and the Radical Masters were on the same grid. Quick Ross took two pole positions in the Radical UK Cup (3rd overall against 80 BHP stronger Radical SR8LM machines). However, disaster struck on the grid when one of the radicals stalled and would not start. Ross’s engine started to get hot so he decided to switch it off. Ross’s engine did not restart and he was pushed off the grid; starting from the pit lane in 49th position he drove the race of his life and after 3 laps was up to 16th, setting outright fastest lap before heading over to team partner Terrence Woodward who quickly (with a little help of a safety car period) overtook last year’s Challenge winner Derek Johnston. Luck was on Ross’s side however, when Terrence was clipped in the last corner by a backmarker, spinning Terrence off the track, puncturing his rear tyre sent him limping home over the finishing line in first place just as the rear tyre exploded. The second race was more a formality for Ross and Terrence who drove their socks of at Silverstone as only a win would do for Ross (and yes they won the race outright and Ross set the outright fastest lap). The result of the Silverstone race weekend was that Ross increased his average score from 101 to 107.50 putting enormous pressure on Jean-Eric Vergne for the Brands Hatch Cooper Tires British F3 International Champion.
With no testing at Brands the day before the race weekend and the conditions quite different to the mid-July test, the qualifying and race set up had to be a qualified work of art. To win the Sunoco Daytona Challenge Jean-Eric Vergne had to be near to perfect as he could only afford to score 245 points (i.e. two race wins, at least two poles and a fastest lap or two race wins, a pole and two fastest laps). In 2009 Daniel Ricciardo was on two poles and on course to win the 2010 Sunoco Daytona Challenge but bogged down in the second race and got stuck in 4th position.
Red Bull sponsored Jean-Eric was desperate to win the 2011 Sunoco Daytona Challenge but could not get the Carlin run VW Dallara to work and could not manage better than a 4th and a 7th meaning that the Daytona dream was over.
Ross Kaiser is originally from Ascot but lives in Bracknell where he makes a living from instructing and driver coaching sees the win of Sunoco Rolex 24 At Daytona as a massive break in his career and can’t wait to get testing with the now UK based #39 Crawford Porsche engine powered Daytona Prototype.
“It’s been two very long weeks waiting for the British F3 final, like when I was a kid waiting for Christmas”.
“I’m delighted to win the Sunoco Daytona Challenge. It’s absolutely massive”.
“I’ve worked really hard to build my racing career. I instruct, driver coach and race with Terrance Woodward, but it can be a struggle to get by particularly through the winter. To have the chance to race at one of greatest endurance races in the world with one of the top teams is a fantastic opportunity which I hope will enable me to move on to a professional racing career”.
“You couldn’t dream of a better prize and it is a fantastic opportunity for any upcoming driver. A lot of effort goes into the challenge by the Sunoco team, even the way the points are worked out. Without doubt, this is a once in a life time opportunity that just wouldn’t be possible without Sunoco”.
“I’m looking forward to get into the Daytona Prototype and get used to the car before the big race. I had a chance to try the car at the Silverstone media day and I fully understand why so many professional drivers are excited about racing them. I now look forward to building on that experience”.
“It’s going to be a very exciting winter. Thanks to Daytona and Sunoco and of course to my team and team mate for all their support. I look forward to being an ambassador for Daytona and Sunoco for 2011 and to represent British motorsport abroad”.
Anders Hildebrand, Anglo American Oil Company says “what a year! Ross and Jean-Eric have been in constant contact with me enquiring how their challenger has been achieving at their race meetings. In the end Jean-Eric narrowly missed out on winning the challenge due to an average last race weekend. I’m delighted to have such a quick and experienced sports car racer winning the Sunoco Daytona Challenge and am confident that Grand-Am will take him under their wing.”
The 2011 Sunoco Rolex 24 At Daytona Challenge prize consists of:• 3 full test days in the UK with the #39 Daytona Prototype• 3 full test days at Daytona (Roar before the Rolex 24 At Daytona)• A race seat in one of the top teams at the 2011 Rolex 24 At Daytona – can Ross win the Rolex 24 At Daytona race as well and lift the well sought after Rolex watch?
