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Track Knowledge good for Gilmour as Queenslander tops Opes Prime National Class |
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Thursday, 21 February 2008 |
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The only driver in the
Opes Prime National Class to have experience on the demanding
streets of Adelaide has put his track knowledge to good use by topping today’s
practice for round two of the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship.
The Opes Prime National Class – for the 2004-spec cars – features some of the
closest competition in the Formula 3 field and $40,000 in prizemoney, or a
funded Championship Class drive in 2009, for the winner this season.
Gilmour’s 1m21.7655s lap topped his class in the second session and on
combined times – and left him an encouraging eighth outright on the overall
timesheet.
Gilmour raced at the Clipsal 500 the last time Formula 3 was
on the program, finishing on the podium on two occasions and scoring a pole
position in the 2004 championship season opener. He is the only driver in either
championship or National class this weekend to have prior experience on the
3.2km circuit.
The Queenslander topped Irishman – and class points
leader – Lee Farrell on combined times today to set up a close battle for class
honours over the two races this weekend.
”I’m really pleased – looks
like my laps here are paying off,” Gilmour enthused.
“We struggled with
fuel pressure problems in the second session so it’s nice to be that far up. I
think this is right up there as my favourite tracks so I really enjoy coming
here. I think we can be up for some good performances in qualifying to get as
many championship points as possible.”
Farrell’s second position backed
up his round one win, whilst an impressive Samantha Reid (TanderSport) was third
overall today.
In her first drive for TanderSport and first in a
National-Class specification car, Reid’s performance bodes well for the
TanderSport team after Trophy-class winning performances in her brief foray into
the 2007 championship late last year.
The 20-year old South Australian
was third in practice one and fourth in practice two despite having an engine
cover come loose to curtail her session early.
Astuti Motorsport’s
Daniel Schulz was fourth overall whilst Scud’s Mathew Radisich was fifth.
The young kiwi – nephew of Touring Car champion Paul – only contested
the first session, however, after a blown engine left his team racing to change
engines between both practice sessions.
Round 1 polesitter Chris
Reindler – now with new team R-Tek F3 – found the tyre barrier in opening
practice but recovered well to finish the day sixth in class driving his brand
new Dallara.
Less than a second covered the top five today, qualifying
tomorrow set to be a close affair to decide the race-within a race battle.
In the Formula 3 Trophy Class Andrew Mill was the dominant force as his
rivals found problems.
A litany of dramas set local hope Jesse Wakeman
back in both sessions – leaving him without a single lap heading into qualifying
– whilst 16-year-old Justin Tate was another to struggle to get track time
today.
For more information head to
www.formula3.com.au
Practice Results (Combined
Times)
- Chris Gilmour
(Drivebuy.com.au) 1:21.7655
- Lee Farrell (Opes Prime
Team BRM) 1:22.3674
- Samantha Reid (TanderSport)
1:22.9008
- Daniel Schulz (Astuti
Motorsport) 1:23.0858
- Mathew Radisich (Scud
Racing) 1:23.4560
Championship Class: Neil McFadyen (Piccola Scuderia
Corse) 1:19.5426
Trophy Class: Andrew Mill (Property Solutions Group)
1:25.7929
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