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Asmer Triumphs as Greg Mansell Scores First Podium |
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Tuesday, 24 April 2007 |
Marko Asmer (#7 Hitech Racing Dallara F307 Mercedes) took his second win in three races in a lights to flag victory but he had to fight off a last lap challenge from Stephen Jelley (#1 Raikkonen Robertson Racing Dallara F307 Mercedes). The Mansell name returned to the British Formula 3 podium for the first time since 1979 with Greg Mansell (#50 Fortec Motorsport Dallara F307 Mercedes) finishing in third ahead of his rapid Fortec teammate Sebastian Hohenthal (#5 Fortec Motorsport Dallara F307 Mercedes).
In the National Class Michael Meadows (#55 Master Motorsport Dallara F304 Mugen Honda) came under some early pressure from Sergio Perez (#31 T Sort Dallara F304 Mugen Honda) but pulled away from the Mexican in the latter half of the race. Alistair Jackson (#35 Raikkonen Robertson Racing Dallara F304 Mugen Honda) was a new face on the podium after a three way battle with 'Frankie' Cheng (#39 Performance Racing Dallara F304 Mugen Honda) and Alex Waters (#34 Promatecme Dallara F304 Mugen Honda).
RACE
At the green flag it was Asmer who led the 31 car field away with
Jelley slotting in behind the Estonian and Greg Mansell holding onto
his 3rd spot on the grid as they rounded Redgate corner for the first
time. Sebastian Hohenthal made a good start, moving up two places to
get ahead of Jonathan Kennard and Niall Breen, the Irishman also
dropping behind Maro Engel and Esteban Guerrieri, who was up from 13th
on the grid.
As the cars completed the opening lap Asmer had a 1 second lead over
Jelley but the Safety Car was deployed after Leo Mansell and Sean
Petterson ended up in the gravel at Coppice.
The cars circulated at reduced speed until lap 5 when racing resumed.
Normal service also resumed at the front with Asmer holding off a
determined challenge from Jelley while Mansell was being caught by
Fortec teammate Hohenthal and Jonathan Kennard.
At the rear of the field Alberto Valerio, who had started at the back
of the field due to his qualifying times being disallowed for
overtaking under yellows was moving up the field, picking off the back
markers. Michael Meadows and Sergio Perez were also having a battle
royale for the lead of the National Class, but by mid distance Meadows
managed to break away from the Mexican, a gap he managed to grow as the
chequered flag drew near. The battle for 3rd place in the National
Class was providing some racing action as Alistair Jackson had to
defend his podium position against a determined ‘Frankie’ Cheng and
Alex Waters, a fight that went all the way to the flag.
Meanwhile back at the front Asmer opened up a 2 second lead over Jelley
but the Englishman reeled his opponent in as they started to lap the
backmarkers. However Asmer used his considerable experience to pass
the slower cars without leaving an opening for Jelley to exploit. Greg
Mansell also managed to find some breathing space to Hohenthal who had
to defend against the rapidly closing Jonathan Kennard as the race drew
to a conclusion.
At the flag it was Asmer from Jelley, with 0.5 seconds separating the
two cars. Greg Mansell took the final podium slot to the delight of
his Fortec Motorsport team and his Father who was watching from the
race from the pitwall.
Michael Meadows took the flag to win his first race in British F3 with
a good margin over Sergio Perez. Alistair Jackson held on to take the
final podium position in the National Class.
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