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[Formula Renault uk] JARVIS REMAINS COMPOSED TO STRETCH SERIES LEAD |
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Monday, 18 July 2005 |
Oliver Jarvis produced some of his most composed performances of the season at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire over the weekend to help extend his lead in the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin to 43 points.
With a trio of second places and four race victories to his credit already this year, the 21-year old Burwell resident has been the class of the field so far. But the weekends ninth and 10th rounds of the season demanded Oliver would have to fight as hard as he probably has at any point in 2005 to achieve satisfying results.
During Saturdays two 20-minute qualifying sessions, Oliver put his Manor Motorsport car in second position on the grid for round nine, but for round 10 he could only manage a third row start after setting the fifth fastest time. Both NGK Laser Platinum Pole Positions went to Swedish driver Alex Storckenfeldt.
With the problems of the previous meeting at Oulton Park Island Circuit still fresh in his mind, Oliver could have been forgiven for settling for a reasonable finish in order to get more points on the board. In the style of a true potential champion, however, the Cambridgeshire star fought tooth and nail to further enhance his title position.
At the start of Sundays first race, round nine, Oliver maintained second position behind Storckenfeldt but was unable on the day to match the pace of his rival and so seemed set to settle for second place and yet another fine podium.
As the race progressed however, Oliver appeared to be visibly struggling to maintain his pace and looked to have some handling issues. Nonetheless, a fantastically spirited and professional drive saw him keep a charging Stuart Hall behind him lap after lap during the latter stages, even though Hall had the faster car.
Round 10 was quite a sedate affair and from fifth position on the grid Oliver was hoping to take a minimum of 20-points from the race, which he did by finishing in fifth position at the chequered flag.
Storckenfeldt, as he had done in round nine, converted pole position into the win but the best news for Oliver was that his closest championship rival, Sebastian Hohenthal, could only finish in eighth position during round nine.
The Swede did finish in third place during round 10, but Oliver still stretched his healthy championship lead from 36 points prior to the weekend to 43 points at the conclusion of the first half of the 20-round season.
Commenting on the races, an upbeat Oliver said: "Of course, we're disappointed we didn't come away from Croft with better results but after we struggled for pace a bit during qualifying, the races were always going to be about damage limitation.
"We just weren't able to match the speed of Alex and his team this weekend but thats the way it goes sometimes. I'm a racing driver and therefore my aim is to win, but sometimes you have to realise you've got to pick up as many points as you can and to have a 43 point lead in the championship at the halfway stage is very good."
Oliver added: "The first race was particularly tough as I wanted to hold onto to second position but Stuart (Hall) began to push me very hard, especially during the closing stages. I'm happy to have increased my points lead and now we're looking forward to my home race at Snetterton in three weeks time."
The 11th and 12th rounds of the 2005 Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin are scheduled to take place at Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk, just over 30 miles from Oliver's Burwell home, on 6th/7th August.
Oliver Jarvis Championship Position (after rounds nine and 10):
Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin 1st overall; 263 points
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