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Tim Berryman Gets The Phillip Island Highs And Lows |
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Friday, 25 August 2006 |
| Attachment 16917 |
| the DELTA Agribusiness Dallara of Tim Berryman pitches into turn one at Phillip Island last weekend (Craill / Race Torque Photo) |
In his first trip to the fastest circuit the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship visits, Stockinbingal, NSW, based driver Tim Berryman experienced the broad spectrum of emotions drivers can experience in Motorsport during the sixth round of the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship at Phillip Island recently.
Berryman, second in the Kumho National Class this year, again proved his pace but was forced to bounce back from an early non-finish driving his Delta Agribusiness-supported Dallara F301 – Spiess.
As one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar, Friday’s two
practice sessions were spent setting up the car and learning the track,
Berryman placed consistently inside the top ten and showing improvement
each time out.
Qualifying was proof that the New South Wales-based team and driver
were getting further into the groove, Berryman setting ninth fastest
time in Qualifying one (Second in National Class) and eighth for race
two.
Berryman made an excellent start to the opening, 14 lap race held
Sunday morning in clear conditions, leaping from ninth on the grid to
place directly behind his National Class rival Ricky Occhipinti, in
seventh, on lap two.
Berryman managed to hold a top eight position for the early stages of
the event despite heated competition until a lap seven off saw the
Delta Agribusiness car flying off the track at the notorious Southern
Loop.
Fortunately, despite leaving the circuit at over 130kph and bouncing
over the deep Phillip Island sand trap, both driver and car escaped
unscathed with only scratched paintwork and minor damage to the front
wing.
Recovering well in time for the second race held later in the
afternoon, Berryman again made a flying start and leaped into the
National Class lead – and fifth outright - on the first lap of the race.
As proof of his progress made throughout the weekend, Berryman raced
competitively throughout the entire race to bring the #33 car home
second in National Class and return to the class podium for the seventh
time in eight races this season.
“It was a really tough weekend right from the outset, but I think we
learnt a lot and bounced back well in the second race,” Berryman said.
“Phillip Island is a great circuit in these cars. Very fast, very
demanding and challenging but a lot of fun. You really get to see how
fast these things can go. It was my first time there in one of these
cars and there was a lot to learn, but by the end of the weekend the
Delta Agribusiness car was going well.
“Race one was tough, I just ran out of road coming off the Southern
Loop and it was fortunate that we didn’t break anything more than a few
front wing endplates. It was disappointing, though, because things were
looking good for another strong National Class finish.
“Race two was a lot better. I got a great start and was able to come home second in class which was a good recovery.
“The team have done a great job and I have to thank all my sponsors for their support.” He said.
Tim Berryman would like to thank his sponsors Delta Agribusiness, RSB
Bird Cameron Chartered Accountants and Elf Fuels and Lubricants.
For more information about the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship visit www.formula3.com.au
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 06 January 2007 )
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