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Metcalfe Vicorious In Opening Round Of Season |
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Monday, 02 April 2007 |
 Formula Renault UK title challenger Jeremy Metcalfe got his 2007 campaign off to the best start possible at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit earlier today, the BRDC Rising Star soaking up incredible pressure from pole position to win the first race of the year.
The victory marks the second time the 18-year-old AKA Cobra sensation has stood atop a Formula Renault UK podium, Jeremy’s first category win coming during the 2005 Winter Series, and the result – combined with sixth position in round two – sees him end the opening race weekend of the season third overall in the provisional driver standings.
After claiming his second career Formula Renault UK pole position
during round one qualifying on Saturday afternoon, Jeremy headed into
the first of today’s races confident of success and he duly delivered
with a mature and controlled, if incredibly pressurised, drive to the
chequered flag.
“It’s fantastic to win the first race of the year”, said the 2006
McLaren Autosport BRDC Award finalist, “I don’t think we found as much
speed in the car as we perhaps could have but I was confident I could
keep (Duncan) Tappy behind me. You always want to start a championship
on a winning note, I’m absolutely delighted.”
Lining up seventh on the grid for the second of the day’s two 24-lap
encounters, the Fleet star made a good start to the race and after
holding station for the first six laps he then received an additional
boost after gaining a position when second-placed Will Bratt was served
with a drive through penalty for an alleged false start.
Challenging Manor Competition’s Richard Singleton but also under
pressure from the Welshman’s team-mate Alexander Sims, Jeremy remained
cool to take sixth position and 18 valuable championship points to add
to the 32 he earned for his earlier race win.
“It was a shame we couldn’t be on the podium again but the result of
this race was determined in qualifying really", he added, "It’s so
difficult to overtake in a Formula Renault on the Indy Circuit. Sixth
isn’t a bad return and I’m fairly happy to be third in the
championship.”
Next on the motorsport agenda for Jeremy is a special interview this
Thursday, 5th April, at the Colnbrook headquarters of the Motor Sports
Association. The interview marks the final stage of a process which
could see him named as one of just six drivers on the new MSA ‘Race
Elite’ programme.
Jeremy then celebrates his 19th birthday on Easter Monday, 9th April,
before his next track action which takes place at Thruxton Circuit on
Wednesday, 11th April, as part of a Formula Renault UK test session at
the Hampshire venue. In the meantime, he will return to his Banking
& Finance studies at Loughborough University.
Rounds three and four of the 2007 season will take place at Rockingham
Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire on Saturday, 21st April, and Sunday,
22nd April.
Provisional 2007 Formula Renault UK Championship Standings (after Rds1&2)
1st Duncan Tappy, 62pts
2nd Adam Christodoulou, 53pts
3rd Jeremy Metcalfe, 50pts
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