FORMULA BMW UK CHAMPIONSHIP

Published on 30 July 2007

QUAIFE-HOBBS TOP ROOKIE AT SNETTERTON

Tonbridge racing driver, Adrian Quaife-Hobbs, took his first podium finish when he finished top rookie in yesterday's second FBMW race at Snetterton circuit in Norfolk.

The 16 year-old MSA British Race Elite driver made a great start from fourth on the grid, running second for part of it, before his tyres went off in the closing stages allowing Valle Makela past.

Fourth place was a good result and at the finish he was pleased to be awarded his first trophy of the season, when he was declared top rookie.

“Race two was a really, really good race,” said Adrian at the finish. “It was particularly good after such a disappointing first race when my exhaust got crushed in an incident on lap two and I lost around 8kph straight-line speed. The team did a good job to fix it in between the races though".

“Then at the start, Henry Arundel squeezed me out into the first corner and Josef Kral came around the outside of both of us. I knew I was going to be first or third and I had to go for it but ended up third".

“It was about six laps from the end that my tyres started going off and Valle Makela got round me on the outside at the Esses, which dropped me to fourth but I'm really pleased overall. I've got a new engineer and for our first weekend together it's great - it can only get better. I'm really pleased.”

The second race didn't prove as successful however, when an incident damaged his exhaust pipe, costing the former T-Car Champion valuable straight-line speed and he finished in a disappointing 13th.

The youngster now has a three week break before the next rounds of the championship, at his home circuit of Brands Hatch in Kent.

“I can't wait for the next race. Brands is my home track and I love it. Things seem to be coming together this season now, I just missed pole in qualifying this weekend, and was consistently up there so it would be great to get pole and my first win at Brands in three weeks time.”

Round 13 - Results

1. Marcus Ericsson Fortec Motorsport 21:31.653

2. Josef Kral Double R Racing 21:35.234

3. Henry Surtees Carlin Motorsport 21:37.822

4. Valle Makela Nexa Racing 21:39.488

5. Henry Arundel Fortec Motorsport 21:40.494

6. Jordan Williams GB (Team Loctite) 21:40.715

13 Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Fortec Motorsport 22:11.553

Round 14 - Results

1. Josef Kral Double R Racing 21:15.140

2. Henry Arundel Fortec Motorsport 21:20.958

3. Valle Makela Nexa Racing 21:21.647