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Pre-Season Testing Boost For Bratt And Scorpio |
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Friday, 16 February 2007 |
With just a fortnight to go until the first official Formula Renault UK group test of 2007, confidence is high within the Scorpio Motorsport camp for a strong championship challenge as lead driver Will Bratt continues to set the pace in pre-season testing.
At Donington Park National Circuit yesterday (Wednesday, 14th February) the Adderbury 18-year-old enjoyed his first real dry running of the pre-season and, combined with highly competitive wet-weather pace which he has shown during recent weeks, Will has confirmed his status as genuine title prospect.
With an outing at Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk last week affected by
snow, the Apotex UK sponsored teenager was looking forward to
yesterday’s Donington test to see if his dry weather pace could match
the impressive speed he has shown in the wet and both team and driver
were certainly not disappointed.
After topping the unofficial times during the morning on the damp
1.95-mile layout with some incredibly fast lap times, Will headed into
the afternoon brimming with confidence and although an accident at the
Old Hairpin forced him to switch from his new car to the chassis he
used during 2006, the Oxon ace continued to impress.
“We’ve been very pleased with our preparations so far and the new car
is certainly feeling very nicely balanced and quick”, said Will, “It’s
obviously a shame we had the accident at the Old Hairpin but it was
just one of those things. We were instantly fast again in the old car
so we’re all feeling very confident ahead of official testing.
“Having been on the top step of the podium last year, I’m hungry for
more race wins this season and we genuinely believe we stand a great
chance of being among the top three or four drivers challenging for the
championship. There are some quick drivers to beat but we know we have
a great package and the ability to push for the title this season.”
With one more ‘unofficial’ test scheduled for Will at Rockingham Motor
Speedway a week today, Thursday, 22nd February, Scorpio will join the
remainder of the Formula Renault UK teams at the Northamptonshire
circuit the following week for the first official two-day test of the
pre-season on Thursday, 1st March, and Friday, 2nd March.
It has also been confirmed this week the BP 102 Celebrity Kart
Challenge, which saw Will return to his racing roots in a bid to raise
money for charity, will be screened on ITV2 at 17.00 on Sunday, 18th
March.
The event, which took place at the Autosport International Show at
Birmingham NEC in January, will also be broadcast on digital satellite
and cable channel Motors TV at 19.30 on Monday, 26th March.
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