The Lola-Dome Formula Three car scored its best British Championship result to date at a wet Silverstone yesterday afternoon as Danny Watts took the Promatecme run F106/04 to a fighting 5th place in the first of the scheduled double-header races. Watts was confident of achieving his and the team’s aim of a podium position in the 2nd race later in the afternoon but was ultimately frustrated by the poor weather that caused its cancellation.
On a wet track, BRDC backed Watts held his position on the first lap and quickly settled in to a rapid race rhythm which eventually netted him the 4th fastest race lap of the race. During the closing stages the Neil Brown prepared Mugen powered car was reeling in Donington winner Adam Carroll and looked set to snatch 4th position but was denied a challenge on the Ulsterman by the chequered flag.
“I had to be quite conservative in the first few laps,” said the former BRDC Autosport Young Driver of the Year finalist. “ We have done very little running in wet conditions and we also had a new set of brake pads so I had to play a canny game in the opening stages. However, after that the car came on strong and it just got quicker and quicker and I was able to close on Carroll and get within striking distance but it was just too late. It was fantastic to get this result on the BRDC’s home turf here on the Silverstone International circuit and it all bodes well for the forthcoming races at Croft and Knockhill. I think we can really consolidate and make even more progress there and again test the Dallaras.”
Promatecme team boss Chris Weller was also pleased with the result and is impatient for the next rounds to commence at Croft in two weeks time. “It was a great race from Danny today and it was pleasing to see that we can run at the front of the field. A good result like this will, I’m sure, act as a sound platform for more strong challenges in the coming races.
Rising British star Watts, who is still seeking extra backing for his campaign, is regarded as one of the very best of the UK’s up and coming single seater drivers. He will be in action next at Croft, North Yorkshire on May 1-2 where the all-British combination of car, team and driver will again be the sole challenger to the Italian Dallara chassis that makes up the rest of the British Formula Three Championship grid.
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