Front row FOR QUINN at ROCKINGHAM
Alex Quinn impressed in mixed conditions to qualify second on the grid for the opening F4 British Championship race around the Rockingham International Speedway in Northamptonshire.
The Racing Steps Foundation-backed driver scored his second race victory of the season at the previous round at Knockhill in Scotland.
But the Cornwall-based racer was forced to contend with intermittent rainfall around the part-oval circuit on which late drying conditions would prove to be the ideal time to be on track.
As cars took to the Tarmac to begin their qualifying session, drizzle began to fall leaving drivers to contend with conditions running on slick tyres.
But with rainfall becoming more intermittent, drivers were treated to a respite in the conditions.
Quinn and the Fortec Motorsports squad took advantage, as Quinn set the third fastest time of the session of 1m 19.448s, just before heavier rain began to fall once again, preventing drivers from making further improvements.
Carlin’s duo of James Pull scored pole position with his team-mate Devlin DeFrancesco provisionally second. But the Canadian racer carried over a 10-place grid penalty following an incident at the previous round at Knockhill.
That promoted Quinn on to the front row alongside Pull.
Based on the session’s second quickest times, Quinn will begin the third and final race of the weekend from fourth position, headed by JHR’s Billy Monger.
“There was drizzle in the run up. We went out on slicks and on the first push lap it began to rain so it was all about managing to get across the line.
“When it dried up later on, the track was virtually completely dry track until three laps from the end when the rain returned heavier than before.”
ROCKINGHAM: (3.122km / 1.940 miles): Qualifying results (top 10)
Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Driver (Nat)
James Pull (GBR)
Alex Quinn (GBR) / R
Rafael Martins (BRA)
Sennan Fielding (GBR)
Max Fewtrell (GBR)
Billy Monger (GBR)
Petru Florescu (ROM)
Ayrton Simmons (GBR) / R
Nicolaj Kjaergaard (DEN) / R
Frank Bird (GBR)
Team / Car
Carlin
Fortec
TRS Arden
JHR
Carlin
JHR
Carlin
TRS Arden
Fortec
Fortec
Time / Gap
1m19.399s
+0.046s
+0.049s
+0.062s
+0.083s
+0.196s
+0.252s
+0.258s
+0.522s
+0.994s
ROCKINGHAM: 2nd fastest time Qualifying results (top 10)
Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Driver (Nat)
Billy Monger (GBR)
Petru Florescu (ROM)
Max Fewtrell (GBR)
Alex Quinn (GBR) / R
Rafael Martins (BRA)
Sennan Fielding (GBR)
Devlin DeFrancesco (CAN)
Nicolaj Kjaergaard (DEN) / R
James Pull (GBR)
Ayrton Simmons (GBR) / R
Team / Car
JHR
Carlin
Carlin
Fortec
TRS Arden
JHR
Carlin
Fortec
Carlin
TRS Arden
Time / Gap
1m19.696s
+0.037s
+0.058s
+0.142s
+0.166s
+0.224s
+0.342s
+0.458s
+0.460s
+0.863s
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Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography.
Copyright-free Racing Steps Foundation images are available for editorial use from the RSF Image Bank at http://www.jakobebrey.com/rsf
Report: Racing Steps Foundation - Russell Hayes, Racing Steps Foundation PR & Communications Manager