Formula Renault newcomers David Wagner and Howard Fuller both achieved podium finishes on their category debuts at Snetterton in Norfolk on Saturday, 6th November, during the opening weekend of the 2010 Winter Championship.
Running in the BARC Class of the six-race series, the Hillspeed pairing progressed strongly over the course of the event at the 1.95-mile track. Glasgow karting graduate Wagner finished second in rounds one and two while Worcester Park-based Fuller was third in the opening encounter.
Qualifying took place on a drying track, posing a tricky prospect for the two category rookies, but Fuller – by virtue of his greater car racing experience – managed to secure third in class on the grid for both races while Wagner had to settle for sixth place starts in each at the rear of the grid.
The 17-year-old former karter improved in leaps and bounds in race trim though and going in to the final event of the Winter Championship at Pembrey in South Wales next weekend, he leads Fuller by three points in the battle of the BARC drivers with the duo second and third in the standings.
“It’s been a good start to the Winter Championship all in all, we’re pleased with the progress David and Howard made throughout the weekend”, said Hillspeed’s Richard Ollerenshaw, “Both drivers have shown good potential , Howard has adapted to Formula Renault well and David’s performance in both races was exceptional considering it’s his first weekend in cars.
“We move on to Pembrey very happy as the results we’ve taken this weekend were the maximum we expected really. With Josh Webster as competition, who is a very experienced and very capable driver, we’re really looking for second and third places for Howard and David and we’re working to get them as close to Webster as possible.”
At the start of round one Wagner made an excellent getaway and moved into 22nd place overall, from 25th on the grid, to run fourth in the BARC class at the end of the opening tour just ahead of team-mate Fuller.
By the end of lap two Wagner and Fuller were up to third and fourth in class respectively, 19th and 20th overall, and into the third tour Wagner dived up the inside of fellow BARC runner Mackenzie Taylor to grab second in class with a great, well-timed move.
On the same lap, an unfortunate moment for Fuller dropped him down to fifth in class but he fought back impressively and the 18-year-old eventually finished third in BARC to seal a podium result on his competitive debut in Formula Renault machinery. He also posted the second fastest BARC lap.
Wagner, meanwhile, continued in second place but he was unable to do anything about vastly experienced runner Josh Webster who had already built a substantial lead in BARC from the class pole position. Nonetheless, the runner-up spot was a great return in his first ever car race.
Round two delivered more of the same for Wagner, an excellent drive from the back of the grid lifting him into a very competitive second place in class. Immediately taking fifth place in BARC he moved into third on lap eight when Fuller and Roman Beregech dropped back.
Taking second in class on lap 14, Wagner remained there to the chequered flag – finishing a highly creditable 15th overall. He also posted the second fastest BARC lap to mirror the achievement of his team-mate in race one.
Unfortunately for Fuller, an enforced spin at Russell Chicane at the end of the eighth tour – the result of an over ambitious passing attempt by Beregech – dropped him from second and he had to settle for fourth in the end, albeit a lap down. Holding third in class early on, he moved past Taylor for second on lap three and looked comfortable but the botched move forced him off the track.
The final race meeting of the 2010 Formula Renault Winter Championship will take place at Pembrey Circuit next weekend, 13th/14th November, with four races scheduled to be held at the Welsh track. In addition to its Formula Renault involvement, Hillspeed will also contest the accompanying Ginetta Junior Winter Series races with burgeoning 14-year-old talent Seb Morris.
2010 Formula Renault Winter Championship – BARC Class driver standings:2nd David Wagner, 11pts; 3rd Howard Fuller, 8pts
