Top three covered by 0.119s at Thruxton after fierce second-session battleJack Barlow hospitalised but not seriously injured in high-speed crashRicky Collard the quickest Scholarship class runnerFalcon Motorsport driver Harrison Scott led the way in testing today at Thruxton, the fastest circuit on the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship calendar, topping the timesheets in both of the day’s sessions. But Scott was run very close indeed, with Sam Brabham just four-thousandths slower for JTR and his team-mate Max Marshall a further tenth off.
Scott, who holds second in the championship standings to South African Jayde Kruger after the Brands Hatch rounds, was in strong form from the outset, quickly setting a best lap of 1m 12.730s to lead the morning session. Unfortunately for his rivals, they were denied the chance to better Scott’s time by a serious crash which befell Jamun racer Jack Barlow.
Barlow’s EcoBoost Mygale left the circuit at one of its quickest corners, Goodwood, dug into the soft verge and flipped. He was able to extricate himself from the wreckage and was conscious throughout; Jack was taken to hospital for precautionary checks which revealed no immediate cause for concern. The accident halted the session after only six laps.
The afternoon session was completed without interruption and Harrison was able to find a further second to set a best lap of the day of 1m 11.795s, half a second inside Dan Cammish’s 2013 pole time. Brabham and Marshall were quick to respond for JTR, and were the only other drivers to better 72 seconds around the 2.36-mile circuit.
“I had a really good final session,” said Harrison. “I went on to new tyres straight away but had a few things to do first, like bedding in some brakes, and was then able to do a time which I was really happy with. There’s still more time to find, but overall I’m pleased and it’s a good confidence boost for next week at Donington Park.”
Radical racers Juan Rosso and James Abbott were fourth and fifth, ahead of championship leader Kruger. Falcon’s Ricky Collard was seventh overall and the leading Scholarship class runner at his home circuit, the best part of a second quicker than his closest class challenger Chris Mealin.
Connor Mills was an impressive ninth for Meridian, with Barlow’s pre-crash morning time good for 10th overall. Fourteen cars took to the track at Thruxton, including that of Nigerian novice Ovie Iroro, who acquitted himself well for Richardson Racing.
There will be more Formula Ford testing action next Thursday (17 Apr) at Donington Park, ahead of the Easter weekend’s races at the Leicestershire circuit.
