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Top Four Results For Alajajian In F3 Return |
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Sunday, 09 July 2006 |
Despite setup issues hampering Chris Alajajian’s return to the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship for the CAMS Gold Star at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway, the 19 year-old was able to leave the weekend with a pair of fourth place finishes.
Alajajian’s appearance in the open-wheel class for the weekend was a late decision. Having sat out the two most recent rounds, the decision to run at Eastern Creek - The Chris' home round - was made in the week prior to the round.
&ldq! uo;We had the car sitting there in the workshop, so we thought we may as well come out here and race at Eastern Creek,” said Alajajian. “Formula 3 is a good class, so we’re happy to put
another car on the grid, and driving these cars is always great fun.”
Prior to Friday’s opening practice session, the Jack Hillermans Smash
Renault-Sodemo Dallara F304 hadn’t turned a wheel since early-April.
The car was quickly rebuilt in the week before the round, and the early
stages of the weekend were dedicated to finding a suitable setup for
the car.
Gains were made in each session, culminating with Alajajian securing
starting positions of sixth for Race 1 and fifth for Race 2.
“The setup isn’t really where we want it at the moment, we’ve got a lot
of understeer which is hurting us,” the Sydneysider! surmised after
qualifying. “We’re working hard to! try and get it all together, but it
takes a little bit of time.”
Further setup work was carried out on Saturday night, work which proved
fruitful in the races. The setup still wasn’t 100%, however the car
picked up pace throughout the two 14-lap races.
Improving on his starting position each time, Alajajian recorded a pair
of fourth place finishes. He also set the second fastest race lap in
Race 1, as part of a late race charge to close in on the battle for
second place.
“Race 1 we did quite well, better than we expected after qualifying,”
he said. “The setup wasn’t good at the start, but the car got better in
the race and was good at the end. Unfortunately it just took a little
too long to get there.
“I was closing on! [Michael] Trimble and [Tim] Macrow at the end, but
just ran out of time. If I had another lap I would’ve been right on
their tail and able to make a challenge.
“We made some more changes to the setup between Race 1 and Race 2, but
I think we went backwards. The car didn’t have quite that bite through
the corners, and the engine was down on power all weekend which didn't
help.
“It isn’t a result I’m generally happy with, but we came here this
weekend at short notice as a small team that doesn’t have as much
experience as the other competitors out there and gave it our best shot.
“Matt, Stuart and Simon did a great job working on the car. We were
competitive, but just not quite as competitive as we have been before
in Formula 3.”
Chris Alajajian’s next ra! ce meeti ng will be his debut in the Fujistu
V8 Supercar Development Series on July 21-23 at Queensland Raceway.
The next round of the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship for
the CAMS Gold Star is at Phillip Island Raceway in Victoria, on August
18-20.
Chris Alajajian thanks the ongoing support of Jack Hillermans Smash,
Elf Lubricants, Nudie Juices, Scuderia Veloce Motors and AAA Radiators
For more about Chris Alajajian, check out the all-new TheChris.com.au
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 January 2007 )
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