Highly rated single-seater racer Seb Morris is targeting a successful start to the 2012 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Winter Series at Brands Hatch this coming weekend, 20th/21st October, off the back of a highly competitive European debut at Spa-Francorchamps just a couple of days ago.Taking the opportunity to make his bow in the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup during the categorys season finale at the famous Belgian track last weekend, the 16-year-old Welshman starred in difficult, wet conditions during the second of the events racesfinishing 11th overall from a grid of 36 experienced competitors despite running on slick tyres.Rainfall just prior to the start meant the choice of Michelin rubber would be crucial and while the Fortec Motorsports team was confident a gamble on slicks would pay dividends, conditions didnt improve as expected.
Leaving a huge challenge ahead for Marford-based Seb in only his second race at the wheel of a current specification FR 2.0 chassis, he fought his way through the order brilliantly from 16th on the grid and ran as high as ninth before eventually having to settle for a, nonetheless terrific, 11th place.Spa was an amazing experience, commented the Ginetta Ambassador and British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) Rising Star, Race two was fantastic, it was a massive challenge with slicks on a wet trackonly the second time in my career Ive done thatbut it was amazing to almost come away with a top 10 finish on my debut weekend in Formula Renault NEC.
Now, the focus turns to the four-round Protyre Formula Renault BARC Winter Series with a return to the older specification Tatuus FR 2.0 chassis Seb steered to third overall in the main championship in his debut season of single-seater racing.Remaining with Fortec, the Abbey Gate College A-level student will go into the four-round Winter Series as a top contender and undoubtedly one to watch having secured five victories so far in his first year of slicks and wings competition.Hopefully well have a really good Winter Series, Im going into it aiming to challenge for every win possible and have a really strong end to the year, said Seb, I think doing well in the Winter Series could actually be more important for me than the main season, as everyone looks at what youre doing at the end of the year for the following season.Following officially timed testing on Friday, 19th October, qualifying for rounds one and two of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Winter Series will take place on Saturday, 20th October, at 09.00 and 12.45 with the first race of the weekend beginning at 16.10.
On Sunday, 21st October, round two is scheduled to start at 13.10 and will be screened live on Freeview, digital satellite and cable channel ITV4, on ITV4 HD and with the addition of live online streaming at www.itv.com/btcc
