Round three of the 2005 Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin proved to be nothing short of a dream for Swedish ace Alex Storckenfeldt on Saturday, the 20-year-old storming to a fantastic first win of the year – and only his second ever in the series.
Not only was it a dream day at Thruxton Circuit for the Storckenfeldt family, it was also a highlight for all at Team AKA as the race victory was the first for the Andrew Kirkaldy-managed team since entering Formula Renault UK last year.
“This result is amazing, what a great day”, said a delighted Storckenfeldt after claiming not only the win but also the Fastest Lap. “We had the pace all day, the team did a great job and it was fantastic to win after the disappointment of Donington. I’m very happy with this win, it was really good, and I think it’s going to be a very good year for us.”
Joining Storckenfeldt on the podium was Manor Motorsport’s Oliver Jarvis (Burwell, Cambridgeshire) in second place - his third successive second-position finish seeing the 21-year-old increase his series lead to 10 points - while Fortec Motorsport’s Sebastian Hohenthal was third to ensure maximum celebrations for the Swedish contingent.
With Scandinavian pairing Storckenfeldt and Hohenthal locking out the front row of the grid in qualifying, Alex taking NGK Laser Platinum Pole Position with a time of 1m 09.953 seconds (121.24mph), it was Team JLR’s Stephen Simpson (Enfield, Middlesex) who proved to be the best of the British runners with the third fastest time.
At the start of the 15-lap race, Storckenfeldt didn’t waste his first pole of the year by making a great getaway from the grid, as did countryman Hohenthal, but before the end of lap one Jarvis made a good pass on the Fortec driver to move into second position behind Storckenfeldt.
The Team AKA man extended his lead with ease and running completely untroubled throughout, he took the chequered flag on lap 15 by seven and a half seconds. Jarvis managed to hold onto his second position, despite suffering from brake problems, with Hohenthal just a 10th of a second behind him in third place.
Championship leader Jarvis commented: “We seemed to struggle to match the pace of Alex but I also had some problems with brake-fade. So what could have been quite a comfortable second place finish turned into a bit of a battle and I had to be very cautious going into the braking areas.
“It would have bee nice to win and that’s the aim every time we go out there but I don’t mind where I finish on the podium as it’s all good points for the championship and consistency is key.”
Hohenthal, meanwhile, added: “Close finishes is how racing should be. The start was quite good but I did have one or too problems with some of the corners which I hope to have sorted out for Sunday’s race. I’m still new to this track though and also the car so I’m happy and it’s nice to be on the podium.”
Behind the top three, Simpson was involved during the early and mid-part of the race in a great battle with Team Firstair’s Sean McIntosh but on lap eight the JLR driver went off at the complex, handing fourth place to the Canadian.
Manor’s Venezuelan ace Rodolfo Gonzalez (Attleborough, Norfolk) picked up his best result of the season with fifth position while Fortec’s Yelmer Buurman was sixth. Having started in 10th position on the grid, the Dutchman was named ELF/Atol Driver of the Day.
AKA’s James Jakes (Leeds) had a good run to seventh place, an excellent move on Manor’s Patrick Hogan (Killiney, Co.Dublin) on lap 11 giving him the place ahead of the Irishman, with JLR’s Tom Kimber-Smith (Wokingham, Berkshire) in ninth spot and Welch Motorsport’s Daniel Welch (Fleet, Hampshire) enjoying his best result of the year in 10th.
Full race results available at www.msttiming.com
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