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Uniroyal FunCup - Croft Circuit |
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Tuesday, 08 May 2007 |
Newly formed JamesB Racing forged its way to the front of two thrilling races at the weekend in the hands of former BRDC Champion and Formula Renault ace Matt Shawyer. The team entered by Silverstone Racing Graduate James Brown enjoyed a encouraging debut weekend at the North Yorkshire venue.
The pair who have teamed up for the first time in the Uniroyal FunCup quickly got to grips with their new car on the fast sweeping bends at Croft on the Friday test day. Race One saw the 101 car of Brown/Shawyer start from 5th on the grid in one of the largest field of cars seen in the FunCup in its 5 year history, a record 32 took to the start.
With Shawyer taking the start duties he quickly made his way through to
the front and established a strong 10 second lead before commencing a
full on battle with former British Touring Car ace Eugene O'Brian in
car 221. As the first pit window approached it was Shawyer who dived
in first to hand over to James Brown. As the car hit the track for the
second time James successfully improved his lap times with each and
every lap. As the three hour race wore on the pair had to make an
un-scheduled pit-stop after just re-fuelling due to a loose body work
clip, this lost crucial time and dropped them down into the mid-pack
once again. James again took to the wheel for the final run to the
flag to record the teams first finish in 17th position.
With the same 3 hour race scheduled again for Sunday and a reverse grid
from Saturdays result meant the pair would start in 15th on the grid.
Shawyer again took to the start and with a superb first couple of laps
he again found himself out in front by the end of lap 4. By this time
he was nursing a gearbox problem which halted their progression away
from the chasing pack. Matt held on to 3rd place as the first pit-stop
window opened and under safety car dived into the pits, the decision
was taken to change the gearbox before James took to the track. 30
minutes later car 101 was up and running and again putting in
consistent lap times in the hands of James Brown. The pair went on to
record their second straight finish which is the primary objective when
endurance racing is concerned.
James commented 'I have thoroughly enjoyed my first full funcup event,
its a great set-up we have here and the mechanics really worked hard to
ensure we got the maximum amount of time on track as possible. For me
I achieved my own personal goal of improving every time the car turned
a wheel and I know there's a lot more to come and with Matt's help I
can for fill my potential'
Matt went on to say 'What a great weekend of racing, it was awesome to
get our car out in front in both of the two races on our FunCup debut.
It was unfortunate we had to change a gearbox which hampered our
chances of a top 15 result in R2 but after driving the whole first
stint with one-hand it was a relief to have a box that worked again for
the remaining two hours!'
The pair will be looking to build on there success at their next scheduled round on August 4th at Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk.
For Further details please visit www.uniroyalfuncup.co.uk and www.mattshawyer.com
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