Atech Reid GP secured its fifth consecutive podium finish in the 2011 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship with second place for Tio Ellinas in Saturday’s opening race at Thruxton. Starting from row two, the Cypriot moved into second place at the Complex, and crossed the line just one and a half seconds off the leader, to maintain his championship lead.
Dan Wells got his debut with the team off to a great start, catapulting off the line from ninth into sixth at the end of lap one, only to spin away a possible fifth position. He recovered well however and moved back up the order over the remaining 14 laps, finishing eighth.
Oscar King started the race disappointed to be so far back, after setting a cracking pace in second qualifying, where he’d been swapping times with Ellinas only to go off track at the Complex on his last flying lap. The team did a great job to repair the car just in time for the race, but the resultant damage meant his car didn’t handle as it should, coming home in ninth at the flag.
Tio Ellinas: “I’m pretty happy with second, I made a good start and I was much faster than Lynn and King off the line so I managed to get past King at the Complex. After that I tried to keep a good distance from third and keep in touch with the leader. Tomorrow will be tougher, from seventh, but if I can get another good start and pass a few people, I think a podium should be possible.”
Oscar King: “It was very disappointing to be starting so far down the grid as we’d had great pace in second qualifying, probably quick enough for P2, until I went off at the Complex, badly damaging the car. The team did a great job to get it back out for the race in time, but the car didn’t feel quite right from the green flag lap to be honest. Now we’ve found what the problem was though so I’m confident of a return to pace for race two.”
Dan Wells: “I had a fantastic start, probably the best I’ve ever had, and got past Rowland around the outside at Noble. But then I carried too much speed into Goodwood and did a full 360 degree spin which dropped me right down the order. After that it was just a case of clawing my way back up, but over the course of the race I had a situation I’ve never had to deal with before, the tyres going away in the race, and having to adapt my driving style accordingly, with the lower grip levels. Have to say it was fun though! I’m very much looking forward to tomorrow’s race and hopefully another good start and a top five finish.”
Team Principal David Hayle: “It’s been a pretty good day all round, finishing second with Tio ensures we hold on to the championship lead. Both Oscar and Dan drove well; it’s a shame Dan spun or he could have had a top five finish, but I think they are both capable of a good placing tomorrow if they continue to improve. Tio will have a tough job from seventh but he’s shown a tremendous ability with his starts in the opening five rounds so hopefully he’ll be able to produce a similar performance tomorrow.”
The weekend’s final race takes place at 15.05 today.
