QUINN BAGS A ROOKIE WIN ON RACE DEBUT
Alex Quinn stood on the top step of the Rookie podium on his Ford MSA Formula debut at Brands Hatch, with a solid eighth place finish.
The Racing Steps Foundation-backed driver, who earlier in the day qualified in fifth place, didn’t have the best of starts to his first race.
Quinn dropped three places in the opening two laps, to eighth place, and was forced to staunchly defend from Australian Zane Goddard, who was only 0.6 seconds behind.
On lap 17, Quinn’s Fortec Motorsports team-mate Ross Martin, collided with the barriers at Druids Bend, resulting in the first safety car of the season.
That benefited Quinn, who was struggling to keep up with Jamie Caroline and Rafael Martins ahead.
When the bunched up pack were released, a two-lap sprint to the flag ensued.
That enabled Quinn to consolidate on his eighth place, and start the season as top rookie, the only such driver to finish within the top ten finishers.
“I pulled away from the line quite well,” Quinn said.
“But into Paddock Hill Bend, I defended the inside like many others.
That meant that we all slowed each other down. It allowed those behind to go around the outside of us.
“From there, I was able to maintain position, and there was no opportunity for me to take advantage from the safety car restart.
It’s a great feeling to start the year on top of the Rookie podium. Although we’ll be going full tilt at the main championship, the Rookie title is certainly one that I want to do well in.”
Quinn will begin the second race of the weekend, the reversed grid race, from second place.
Brands Hatch: (1.943km / 1.2079 miles): RACE ONE results (top 10)
Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Driver (Nat)
Petru Florescu (ROM)
Max Fewtrell (GBR)
James Pull (GBR)
Luis Leeds (AUS)
Sennan Fielding (GBR)
Jamie Caroline (GBR)
Rafael Martins (BRA)
Alex Quinn (GBR) / R
Zane Goddard (AUS)
Devlin DeFrancesco (CAN)
Team / Car
Carlin
Carlin
Carlin
TRS Arden
JHR
Jamun
TRS Arden
Fortec
Double R
Carlin
Time / Gap
19m 49.681s
+0.489s
+0.793s
+1.392s
+1.846s
+2.424s
+2.684s
+3.118s
+3.390s
+4.024s
Fastest lap: Petru Florescu - 46.447s
Weather: Dry / Sunny
R = Rookie
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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
