Formula Renault UK with Michelin Champion Mike Conway (Sevenoaks, Kent), third-placed finisher Paul Di Resta (Bathgate, West Lothian) and Britain’s number one female racing driver Susie Stoddart (Northampton) have all been announced as finalists in this year’s McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.
Underlining its position as developing the very best racing talent in the country, the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin is the only series represented more than once in the prestigious annual contest – in actual fact Conway, Di Resta and Stoddart comprise half the finalist listing.
Susie’s nomination marks the second year the Scottish 21-year old has been named as a finalist for the renowned award – in 2003 she became the first woman to have ever reached the latter stages of the contest and now stands a great chance of victory, albeit against some tough competition, after a terrific season with Comtec Racing where she ended the year fifth in the standings.
Stoddart commented: “It’s a real honour to be announced as a finalist again – I’m absolutely over the moon. Obviously, I have the experience of being in the competition last year so I’m hoping to put it to good use. I was disappointed to finish outside the top three in the championship and not win a race but, having said that, there were some fantastic results this year for both me and the team and I always like to look on the positive side!”
Conway, of course, was the dominant driver in Formula Renault UK this year after taking eight race wins for Fortec Motorsport en route to his championship success and also one further victory in the Donington Park round of the Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup. Currently preparing for his expected graduation to British Formula 3, the 21-year old is presently conducting an extensive F3 testing programme.
Speaking on being selected for the award, Conway said: “It’s great to be nominated, we had hoped it might happen this year and if I do win the award it’d finish the year off very nicely indeed. It really would be a perfect end to 2004 – we’ve enjoyed a mega year and this would just be an unbelievable bonus.”
Scotsman Di Resta, meanwhile, has been one of the true front-runners with Manor Motorsport during his second season in the category, the 18-year old taking four race wins en route to a fighting third position overall. Like Conway, he’s hoping to progress to Formula 3 next year but to win the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award would be extra-special for the young Scot as his cousin, Indycar ace Dario Franchitti, received the accolade in 1992.
Even though Di Resta was originally too young to be nominated for the award, having only celebrated his 18th birthday during the course of the season, the judging panel did feel he was worthy of a place among the six finalists, after also giving fair consideration to other under-age contenders.
“I’m as happy as I possibly could be”, said Di Resta on the announcement. “I’m delighted the judges allowed me to be one of the finalists as my age could have been an issue but now I have a chance to follow Dario which is absolutely fantastic. It’s been a good year for me and I really think I’ve earned my place as a finalist – I think the judges must have believed the same to have included me so I’m very happy indeed.”
Formula Renault UK has a strong history within the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award and particularly so in recent years with last year’s winner Alex Lloyd, who is currently winning races in the Superfund Euro 3000 Championship, having been Formula Renault UK Vice-Champion in 2003.
Jamie Green, 2004 Euroseries F3 Champion, only contested a single season of Formula Renault UK in 2002 and his talent and ability were rewarded with victory in the McLaren Autosport Award.
The remaining three finalist positions in this year’s contest are taken by EuroBOSS championship challenger Scott Mansell, Formula Palmer Audi Champion Jonathan Kennard and Formula BMW UK Champion Tim Bridgman.
A judging panel consisting of British Racing Drivers’ Club secretary Roger Lane-Nott, ex-Formula One driver Howden Ganley, former McLaren Autosport Award winner Andrew Kirkaldy, national racing commentator Ian Titchmarsh and Autosport journalist Marcus Pye, selected the list of six finalists from a shortlist nominated by readers of Autosport magazine.
The sextet of drivers will go head-to-head over an intensive two-day period at Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, in a variety of cars where their performances will be assessed and evaluated before announcing the winner at the Grosvenor House Hotal in London on Sunday, 5th December.
Along with the aforementioned Dario Franchitti, previous winners of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award include current Formula One drivers David Coulthard and Jenson Button.
For all the latest Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin news visit the official Renault UK Motorsport website www.renaultsport.co.uk built by Racecar
