|
Hemming Entry Boosts Formula Renault Uk Grid |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, 04 July 2006 |
Jodie Hemming (Northampton) will contest the remainder of the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship after registering in time to race in rounds nine and 10 at Croft on 14th/15th July. She will drive for Sywell Leisure Sports Ltd, the team that ran her during a highly successful Formula Jedi career.
She is the 28th driver to enter the 2006 Championship and joins Comtec Racing’s Pippa Mann as the two females on the grid. After testing with Scorpio Motorsport in pre-season, Hemming opted to run with her current team after they purchased a Formula Renault 2.0. Despite limited time in the car, Hemming is hopeful of making a strong impression in the single-seater category.
Commenting ahead of her debut at the North Yorkshire circuit, Hemming said: “I’m really excited about racing in Formula Renault and have been
talking about it for weeks. The big thing for me is that it is a
completely level playing field in terms of the car and the engine, so
it’s all down to driver skill.
“Formula Renault UK has a very high profile because it always has close
racing and has produced some very good drivers. There’s a great
atmosphere around the paddock and I’ll be able to enjoy my motorsport,
which is very important to me.”
Most of Hemming’s testing was affected by poor weather and she admits
this will affect her chances in her early outings. She said: “To be
honest, I’ll be happy just to finish the first two races at Croft but
after that I hope things will pick up. Once I’ve been able to do a bit
more testing and get a few miles in the car, I’m sure results will
improve.”
The 20-year-old Leisure Assistant is also excited by the aerodynamic
package on the car. After four years in Formula Jedi, she had a taste
of Formula One in the opening rounds of the EuroBOSS series in a Jordan
and believes the experience with aerodynamics will help her make the
transition to Formula Renault.
Hemming added: “Obviously there’s a big difference between Formula Jedi
and Formula Renault but I’m looking forward to driving the car because
the aero package is so good. When I tested at Donington Park I was
around two seconds off the pace of the leading drivers that day. That’s
not too bad for a first attempt but I know I can go faster.”
Hemming finished second in Formula Jedi 1000cc last season after three
years in the 600cc Scholarship Class. In 2003 and 2004, she won the
600cc category with maximum points and was only denied the title in
2002 when she broke her wrist and missed part of the season.
In 2005 the team purchased an ex-Formula One Jordan and Hemming raced
in the first round of the EuroBOSS Formula at Brands Hatch, finishing
fifth and third. “It was a fantastic experience,” Hemming added. “The
chance to drive a car used by Michael Schumacher is amazing and to
finish on the podium on my first attempt was great.”
|
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 January 2007 )
|
News