Two superb runner-up spots on home turf at Silverstone last weekend helped British racing driver Cameron Twynham close to within just six points of the European F3 Open Copa Class championship lead.
Cheered on by over 120 supporters at a circuit that lies just 30 miles south of his home in Market Harborough, the 17-year-old was able halve the points deficit with a pair of strong drives aboard his freshly green-liveried Team West-Tec Dallara F308 following the completion of a new sponsorship deal with Geodis Wilson.
Starting from third in Saturdays race, Twynham was made to work hard for his first second place of the weekend around the full British Grand Prix layout. A typically brisk getaway initially helped him move up a position before surrendering the place at Stowe after running wide and losing momentum through the fast right-left-right Maggots/Beckets chicane.
When it became clear that the driver ahead would not voluntarily concede the place despite making his move under yellow flags, Twynham went on the attack by sliding down the inside at Brooklands on lap four and pulling clear. With the championship leader delayed behind and first place by now comfortably ahead, Cameron was content to settle for yet another podium and strong points.
A tough second qualifying session saw Twynham line up fourth for the weekends second race on Sunday. Once again he was able to immediately pick up a place at the start before also taking second, albeit in unorthodox fashion across the grass at Farm Curve, just two corners later.
His charge continued further round the lap when he looked for a way past the leader into Vale, but lost momentum and dropped back a little. And when he became stuck behind one of the newer and faster 2012-spec cars, his victory chances were effectively ended. Nevertheless, another second place finish and 11th podium of the season still represented the best combined weekend result of his Copa Class campaign thus far.
Its been another ultra-consistent weekend and even though I couldnt thank everyone who came to support me by taking a win, its just as important to look at the bigger picture: halving the championship lead is really important with just three rounds remaining, said Twynham. We struggled a little bit for outright speed in practice and qualifying but our race pace was much better and allowed me to pick up a few places. It was a bit frustrating to be held up by the 2012-spec car in race two as I felt we had a good chance of going for the win. By the time I got past the gap was just too big, so instead of pushing and potentially making a mistake I settled for the strong points. If we can produce a similar result at the next round then this years championship should go down to the wire.
Twynham and the European F3 Open now take a two-month break before resuming at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on September 7/8.
