Marco Barba and Daniel Clos were the winners in the Formula Junior races at the Circuit of Albacete where the rainy conditions played an important role - Daniel is just 15 years-old, and one of the new generation of Spanish drivers, he is still battling in the international karting races.
Race 1
The first Formula Junior race was declared wet by the Race’s Director, Xavier Boné. Michael Herck made a good start and managed to secure his front position, with the two Escuela Lois Circuit drivers, Barba and Llobell, in pursuit. After the parabolic Barba took the lead which he never lost in the 13 lap race.
Llobell tried to overtake Herck but the Belgian driver zigzagged and the Spaniard desisted - Herck was quicker and he notched the fastest lap.Marcos Martinez ran a very regular race and finished 4th.
Miguel Molina had a race incident with his team mate Daniel Clos and finished his race in the gravel (lap 8).
Race 2
The race was declared wet when the competitors were all on the grid. Some teams thought the rain would not last - they were wrong. Barba and Llobell stayed on slicks, as did the Repsol Racing for Spain drivers, as well as Saez Merino and Garcia Mancera. Michael Herck decided to start from the pit-lane.
Marcos Martinez was on wet tyres and did a great start. The track was really slippery and Barba lost his position to Martinez. Molina (Racc Motorsport) did a great start, and gained 4 positions, including that of his team mate, Daniel Clos. After the first lap, Martinez was in command followed by Barba and Molina. Llobell spun and lost all chances.Clos went to overtake Molina and succeed.
José Miguel Gutierrez had a great race and he was as high as second as it looked as though the track was drying up. Again, the rain got stronger and Gutierrez spun on lap 7, finishing 9th.
Daniel Clos reached Martinez and overtook him two laps before the end of the race. Martinez was second at 3.214. Molina kept an easy third place and achieved his first podium position in a double success for RACC Motorsport.
Marco Barba - Escuela Lois Circuit
“The first race was an easy one, but we really failed for the second one. I hope we will do some good races in Magny Cours. My team is leading and I’m very happy for them. We deserved another victory but the rain is always the unattended visitor and it turned up to be a very tricky race.”
Daniel Clos (RACC Motorsport)
“We took the right decision and I found myself at front. I was lucky to regain my position soon and I reached Martinez in the final moments. I pulled like a mad and I was really lucky to win this race: I want to thank my Team for this victory.”
Race 1-Results
Marco Barba - ESP - 20’50’395 Michael Herck - BEL - at 1.848 Arturo LLobell - ESP - at 4.119 Marcos Martinez - ESP - at 7.489 Jose Miguel Gutierrez - ESP - at 8.778 Javier Fernandez - ESP - at 12.365 Javier Mingorance - ESP - at 12.918 Carlos Alvarez - ESP - at 17.584 Daniel Clos - ESP - at 18.681 Adrien Lavail - FRA - at 20.208 Manuel S Merino - ESP - at 20.403 Borja Gª Mancera - ESP - at 26.174 Manel Cerqueda - ESP - at 26.897 Roberto Fueyo - ESP - at 32.083
Fast Lap: Michael Herck (1.34.981/134.1 km/h)DNF
Miguel Molina - RACC Motorsport Vta. 8 IncidentJorge Garrido - ECA Racing Vta. 4 Engine Failure
Race 2 - Results
Daniel Clos - ESP - Racc Motorsport - 22’59’932 Marcos Martinez - ESP - HST Racing - at 3.214 Miguel Molina - ESP - Racc Motrsport - at 18.002 Adrien Lavail - FRA -HST Racing - at 23.186 Manel Cerqueda - AND - Automóvil Club D’Andorra - at 24.731 Arturo Llobell - ESP - Escuela Lois Circuit - at 30.369 Roberto Fueyo - ESP - Paiez Progress - at 45.047 Michael Herck - ESP - Junior Racing Team - at 47.874 Jose Miguel Gutierrez - ESP - Repsol Racing for Spain - at 1’01’094 Marco Barba - ESP - Escuela Lois Circuit - at 1’02.226 Manuel S Merino - ESP - Escuela Lois Circuit - at 1’04.502 Javier Mingorance - ESP - Escuela Lois Circuit - at 2 laps Javier Fernandez - ESP - HST Racing - at 2 laps
Fast Lap (6) Marco Barba - 1.38.881 (128.8 km/h)
DNSJorge Garrido - ECA Racing - Engine Failure
DNFBorja Gª Mancera - ECA Racing - IncidentCarlos Alvarez - CLM Motorsport - Incident
Provisional Standings
Drivers
M. Barba, 32 points; 2. A. Llobell, 24 pts.; 3. M. Herck, 24 pts; 4. M. Martínez, 22 pts.; 5. D. Clos, 20 pts.; 6. M. Cerqueda, 18 pts.; 7. J. Gutierrez, 12 pts.; 8. M. Molina, 14 pts.; 9. J. Mingorance, 12 pts.; 10. C. Alvarez, 11 pts.
Teams
1. Escuela Lois Circuit, 52 points.; 2. Junior Racing Team, 27 pts.; 3. HST Racing, 27 pts.; 4. RACC Motorsport, 23 pts.; 5. Repsol Racing for Spain, 22 pts. ; 6. Automóvil Club de Andorra, 18 pts.; 7. CLM Motorsport, 11 pts.; 8. Paiez Progress, 4 pts.; 9. G-Tec, 2 pts.
