| Victory Again for 3DR at Shenington!! |
| Wednesday, 22 October 2008 17:55 |
|
With the championship getting ever closer at the front for 3DR drivers Dominic Russell and Henry Jackson, a good result last weekend at Shenington was vital. Another dry weekend gave the team a more opportunity to carry on running through their test programmes.
A good balance was immediately found on Dominic’s kart, so the team used unofficial practice to run through chassis setups to try and find the edge over the competition. He ended 1 tenths faster than the field. Not favouring Shenington as a circuit, but on the back of his first win at Kimbolton the week previously, knuckled down and consistently lapped with the frontrunners on Saturday. Engine setup work proved successful, and he ended Saturday in a gaggle of 6 drivers all very close at the front. Consistent heats on Saturday (3rd, 3rd, and 4th) put Jackson on grid 3 for the final. Dominic would line up on grid 2, after achieving 1st, 3rd, and 5th in his heats, along with a fastest lap in heat 2. Crucially, championship leader Nathan Lawley would start back on row 5 (9th), after he threw a chain off in heat 3 at Turn 1. With 6 drivers all in with a chance in Minimax, lap 1 would be crucial. A good start for Jackson saw him move past championship leader Hughes in Turns 1 & 2. However, a mistake at the hairpin (turn 3) saw Henry completely outbreak himself and run off the circuit. Rejoining in 11th place, a string of fastest laps in the early stage of the race saw him progress quickly back through to 7th. Unfortunately, a battle with LT Motorsports Chris McCarthy put pay to the race, even though he came out on top in 6th. Henry ended as fast as eventual race winner Sam Ward. Dominic drove a faultless 1st lap, as pole sitter Matt Dittmann was forced down the escape road at Turn 1. A pass on Fulford by Danny Payne on lap 2 for 2nd place allowed Dominic to break the tow of the chasing pack, and gradually extend his lead by 2-3 tenths a lap throughout the whole of the 14 lap final. He eventually crossed the finishing line some 3 seconds ahead of the chasing pack. ‘The whole team are delighted for Dominic, as this result moves him to within 1 point of the championship lead, something that was not deemed possible only 3 months ago. Henry has had a strong weekend here, and unfortunately one mistake put pay to a step on the podium. However, he has collected good point and is now firmly in the race for 2nd in the championship. Overall, a good weekend and the team are pleased.’ Team Manager Tom Smith The team go to Whilton Mill this weekend for round 10 of the championship. Watch this space! |
