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Following a successful test at
Thruxton last week, Hitech Racing heads to the next round of the British Formula
3 International Series at Snetterton in a confident mood. The reigning champions will travel to
Norfolk for a final test on Friday in
preparation for the event, rounds nine and ten of the 22-round
series.
Both Walter Grubmüller and Max
Chilton have impressed in only their second full season in single-seaters, Max
taking a podium last time out and Walter fourth in a rain-soaked
Monza.
The two teenagers shone in pre-season testing underlining their
potential. Now they head to the next
rounds determined to take their first victory for the Buckingham-based
team.
The new for 2008 Dallara F308
Mercedes HWA has been extensively tested, the team spending much of the test at
the Hampshire track last week testing development parts. Now, the David Hayle-led outfit that
dominated last season, is looking for a return to the top step of the
podium.
The 2008 series has proved to be
one of the most competitive for years. This is underlined by the fact that no
fewer than six different drivers have won races over the first eight opening
races. This ensures that the
championship is still wide open a third of the way through the
season.
“The series has been extremely
close this season,” said Team Principal David Hayle. “The first four races of 2008 were won by
different drivers, and this has enabled everyone to stay in touch with the
leaders.
“In testing last week, the first
16 cars were covered by less than a second so every tenth counts. We would
expect Snetterton to provide much of the same and we’re confident of being able
to find the form that should enable us to be back up at the
front.”
The two-day event will be preceded
by an official test at the track near Norwich, prior to qualifying for the two
races on Saturday. The team’s next
outing will be the official test at Snetterton a week on Friday prior to
qualifying on Saturday 7 June and two races on Sunday 8 June.
Championship points after Round
8
1. Sergio Perez
88
2. Atte Mustonen
78
3. Jaime Alguersuari
71
4. Sebastian Hohenthal
58
5. Oliver Turvey
57
6. Marcus Ericsson
54
7. Max Chilton
50
11. Walter Grubmüller
21
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