Barlow and Graham Ready For F4 Title Decider At Donington Park

Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit will host the finale of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship season next weekend, 28th/29th September, where SWR drivers Jack Barlow and Matty Graham each have a chance of claiming the coveted title.In only its first season of operation, Chipping Norton’s SWR has firmly established itself as one of the premier teams in junior single-seater racing and going into the last three races of the 2013 campaign the squad has the most race wins of any in F4 under its belt – no fewer than five successes so far.Barlow, who will arrive at Donington Park second in the championship standings, does face a very tall order to try and overhaul current championship leader Jake Hughes who is 45 points clear. With a total of 90 points still available to any one driver though, the Hastings 18-year-old is determined to do all he can to try and claim the title in his maiden car racing season.Whatever happens next weekend, it’s been a superb year for Barlow. Taking his first victory during round two at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit, he added a second win at Oulton Park during round 10 and has been on the podium at each event since – with a third victory at Snetterton last time out.Edmundbyers racer Graham, meanwhile, is fourth in the championship heading to Donington Park with two victories to his credit, one during round 14 at Brands Hatch and the second just two races later at Silverstone GP Circuit.Having earned his first podium in round three, the 17-year-old has been a rostrum regular since claiming his maiden win in July with no less than five visits from the past eight rounds. Although he goes into the championship finale 26 points shy of team-mate Barlow, the County Durham racer is confident of making a push to end his debut season in cars inside the series top three.“It’s been a fantastic year for SWR”, said team owner Sean Walkinshaw, “Jack and Matty have done an outstanding job all season, it’s hard to believe they’re rookies with how well they’ve adapted to cars. They’ve both still got a chance of winning the championship and, while it will be very tough, we’ll be giving it our all, as we have all season, and work as hard as possible to win more races.”China’s Zou Sirui, in his first year of racing in the UK, has made steady progress throughout the campaign and at Snetterton in Norfolk a fortnight ago he managed to deliver a season-best result of 12th position in round 20.Sirui remains determined to secure at least one top 10 finish before the end of the campaign and if he can conquer Donington’s famous challenges, such as Craner Curves, the Old Hairpin and Coppice Corner, next weekend he’ll stand a very good chance of achieving his aim. As he competes using a Chinese race licence, Sirui isn’t eligible to score championship points.Qualifying for round 22 of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship season will get underway at 09.35 on Saturday, 28th September, with the opening race of the weekend beginning at 16.00. Rounds 23 and 24 will follow on Sunday, 29th September, at 10.00 and 14.30 respectively.2013 Provisional BRDC Formula 4 Championship Driver Standings (after Rd21):2nd Jack Barlow, 352pts; 4th Matty Graham, 326pts; Zou Sirui – Does Not Score


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