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Clarke tops Bedford test ahead of 2007 opener |
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Friday, 30 March 2007 |
 Jack Clarke threw the gauntlet down to his Formula Palmer Audi rivals at Bedford Autodrome yesterday (Wednesday) as he set the fastest time of the official pre-season test, where 20 of this year's 22 competitors were in action.
The 19-year-old former Formula BMW racer set a blistering lap of 1 minute 3.79 seconds around Bedford's West circuit. "Today went really well, and it's a fantastic confidence-booster ahead of the first round," said Clarke.
Clarke headed an extremely close field, with the top five drivers being
separated by less than two-tenths of a second. FPA returnee Chris Bell
impressed by setting the second-fastest time, with Dominik Jackson,
Aaron Steele and Matthew Hamilton also breaching the 1m04s barrier.
Jackson was happy to have established himself among the front-runners
just 10 days ahead of the first round. "It's been a great test for me
and I'm really glad to be completely comfortable and confident in the
car for the first race."
Luciano Bacheta, Tom Bradshaw and Stefan Wilson followed, with Jolyon
Palmer setting an impressive time to take ninth spot ahead of his
single-seater debut. Behind Palmer, car racing rookie Chris Chubb
rounded out the top 10.
The FPA season begins on Easter Saturday at Silverstone before heading
for the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, where FPA will support the
A1GP World Cup Of Motorsport final from 27-29 April.
Formula Palmer Audi Pre-Season Test - Leading Times
1. Jack Clarke 1m03.79s
2. Chris Bell 1m03.87s
3. Dominik Jackson 1m03.89s
4. Aaron Steele 1m03.91s
5. Matthew Hamilton 1m03.98s
6. Luciano Bacheta 1m04.22s
7. Tom Bradshaw 1m04.77s
8. Stefan Wilson 1m04.78s
9. Jolyon Palmer 1m05.00s
10. Chris Chubb 1m05.24
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