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[Formula Renault, UK] Thruxton Weekend Ends On Positive Note For Russell |
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Monday, 05 June 2006 |
THRUXTON WEEKEND ENDS ON POSITIVE NOTE FOR RUSSELL
Russell Racing concluded its Thruxton race weekend on a positive note this afternoon with team driver Matt Russell gaining a full seven places in round six of the Formula Renault UK series to achieve a handful of richly deserved championship points.
Having endured perhaps his most difficult qualifying sessions of the year on Saturday, Matt would line up just outside the top 20 for round five but for the second of today’s races he would start on the final row of the grid in 25th position, and with a literal mountain to climb to have any hope of a points-scoring finish for his Doncaster team.
The sixth round of the season, however, would prove to be one of Matt’s most inspiring performances to date with a great drive to 18th position earning him three points and seeing him climb one position up the driver standings.
With round five ending for Matt on only the second lap, the Harlesden 22-year-old was determined to make amends for his untimely exit from the first of the day’s two races and he duly did in round six with an excellent battling performance from the back of the grid.
Following a great start, Matt made up a number of places on the opening lap and as the cars crossed the start/finish line for the beginning of lap two he was up to 19th position before the Safety Car was deployed to enable Joao Vasconcelos’ stricken car to be safely recovered.
At the re-start, on lap seven, Matt unfortunately lost a position to reigning Formula BMW UK Champion Dean Smith but there was some question over whether or not the move took place with yellow flags still being displayed. No penalty was imposed on Smith though so, at the end of 17 laps, Matt was classified in 18th position.
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