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Jonathan Fildes – Knockhill Preview |
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Thursday, 24 August 2006 |
With three podium finishes to his credit so far this season, Irish ace
Jonathan Fildes aims to add a further brace of top-three results to his
2006 tally when the Blaupunkt SEAT Cupra Championship resumes at
Knockhill next weekend, 2nd/3rd September.
The challenging Fife circuit, which is notorious for its less than
favourable climate, always offers good racing and with just over a week
to go until the 13th and 14th rounds of the season, Jonathan is
confident his reversal of fortune at Snetterton two weeks ago – where
he made a long overdue return to the podium – will continue in Scotland.
Sponsored by Asgard Taverns, Applied Signs & Display, Atari Expo
and AM Speedsport, the 31-year-old from Co.Meath endured a luckless run
from the Thruxton race meeting in June until the two races at
Snetterton a fortnight ago but is now aiming to secure his first ever
win in the SEAT series, having excelled in every other category he has
contested.
“I’m confident of a good run at Knockhill”, said Jonathan looking ahead
to his visit to Scotland, “Especially after the progress we made at
Snetterton. I know I can win, I have no doubt about that, and as long
as I qualify in the top four or five places my first victory is a very
realistic prospect next weekend.
“We tested at Knockhill during the pre-season and our pace wasn’t too
bad at all so, after the podium at Snetterton during the last round,
I’m confident our luck has changed and I’m keeping my fingers crossed
for some good results. I’ll be pushing hard to win both races and see
no reason why we can’t challenge for the top step of the podium.”
The Irish saloon-car ace, who won the prestigious Renault Clio Cup
title in 2003 and is the reigning Dunlop Supercars Champion, has only
had limited running at Knockhill having never competed at the track
prior to his 2004 Porsche Carrera Cup GB campaign which, incidentally,
saw Jonathan end the year fourth overall in the driver standings.
Unfortunately, the Total Control Racing-run star endured a bittersweet
competitive Knockhill debut in the Porsche but he is fully confident of
erasing those memories when the SEAT season continues next weekend,
Jonathan knowing a brace of podiums will do his current championship
position of sixth place the world of good.
He added: “I’m hoping the Knockhill experience this time will be much
more enjoyable. After a good start to the year our luck, for the most
part, has been abysmal but during the last couple of races we saw
things go our way for a change. I’m confident we can have a very good
end to the season now and produce some good results in the remaining
six races.”
Official testing will take place at Knockhill on Friday, 1st September,
with qualifying for rounds 13 and 14 of the season scheduled for
Saturday, 2nd September.
Both races will then be held on Sunday, 3rd September, and are
scheduled to be broadcast live on Motors TV, channel 413 of the Sky
Digital platform and through cable provider NTL on channel 173. Round
13 is timetabled to start at 11.50 with round 14 to follow at 15.00.
2006 Blaupunkt SEAT Cupra Championship Provisional Driver Standings (after rounds 11&12):
| Pos. |
Driver |
Points |
| 1st |
Mat Jackson |
194pts |
| 2nd |
Alan Blencowe |
147pts |
| 3rd |
Jonathan Adam |
138pts |
| 6th |
Jonathan Fildes |
95pts |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 06 January 2007 )
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