JTR’s Jayde Kruger claims his sixth win of the Formula Ford season, ahead once again of Falcon Motorsport driver Harrison ScottConnor Mills claims Scholarship class honours after mechanical problems for Ashley Sutton
Jayde Kruger and Harrison Scott maintained their stranglehold on the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship podium’s top steps at Oulton Park yesterday afternoon, Kruger leading Scott from pole position to chequered flag in Round 12 to claim his second win of the weekend and maintain his championship advantage over his chief title rival.
South African Jayde rocketed away on the opening lap to build a 1.1-second advantage in his JTR Mygale, and he stayed ahead by a similar margin throughout the ensuing 11 laps – surviving a mid-race safety car period and breaking his day-old lap record along the way. Kruger went to Oulton Park with a three-point championship lead and leaves the Cheshire circuit nine points ahead and with £1000 in his pocket thanks to today’s win.
“Two wins and a second – we’ll take it!” said Kruger of his Oulton weekend. “That was a faultless race, really: the car was fantastic from the start of the weekend to the finish. It was really easy to drive, and that’s what made the difference. When you go into every corner knowing what the car is going to do, it makes it really easy.”
Scott drove his Falcon Motorsport Mygale impeccably but was unable to find an answer to Kruger’s pace, even during the safety car interlude, which was caused by a spin for SWB Sinter driver Greg Holloway. “I just didn’t quite have the pace to make an impression on Jade,” said Harrison. “The safety car bunched us together and I knew that that would be my best opportunity to get him and I stayed right behind him, but he was just too quick away. Jayde was just that bit quicker than us all weekend, but it’s been a really good meeting for us points-wise.”
Third place was held throughout by Argentina’s Juan Rosso, who was lucky to survive a mid-race challenge from the Jamun car of Ashley Sutton. Ashley had started seventh on the grid after problems in yesterday’s damp qualifying session and was soon on the move, depriving Max Marshall of fourth place out of Lodge corner on the fourth lap. After the safety car period Sutton was lining up to perform a similar move on Rosso for third when a gear linkage problem sent Ashley diving for the pits instead.
Rosso, whose Radical Mygale was badly damaged in a crash in Round 11 yesterday, was delighted to score his second podium finish of the weekend: “After the crash yesterday that is like a victory for me. The car was destroyed and the team has done a great job to fix it and I am very happy.” Rosso crossed the line 1.3s ahead of fourth-placed Max Marshall (JTR), with James Abbott (Radical) close behind for fifth.
Until his gear linkage problem Sutton looked to have the Scholarship class in the bag; his pit stop promoted Meridian’s Connor Mills to the class victory. Said Connor: “I kept telling myself that although Ashley had got away from me he could still go off or something could happen, so I should keep pushing, and it paid off.” Falcon team-mates Ricky Collard and Chris Mealin finished close behind Mills for seventh and eighth and to complete the Scholarship podium.
Richardson Racing’s guest driver Andy Richardson took ninth with Sutton completing the finishers, a lap down after his pit stop. Connor Jupp (Meridian) joined Holloway on the sidelines due to a recurrence of his first-race electrical issue. Sam Brabham (JTR) elected not to start after his 11th round accident.
The Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain returns to action in three weeks at the North Yorkshire circuit of Croft, where it will reach the seasonal half-way stage.
