Perth Lad Scores First Formula 3 Win
Posted on May 11, 2017 Tags: Formula 3 Queensland Raceway
Images: GREG WILLIAMS.
CALAN WILLIAMS reports from Queensland Raceway
“Last weekend I participated in my second Formula 3 race – the 2017 Ipswich Festival of Cars, at Queensland Raceway.
“And we did pretty well! My Gilmour Racing team and I entered this event to gain important data in preparation for the start of the Australian Formula 3 Premier Series.
“I’m feeling good about Round 1 May 19-21, back in Queensland at Morgan Park.
“It was also my first ever time driving the GR’s number 1 car, the Dallara F311. The main differences between the team’s F311 and the F307 cars are the F311’s upgraded aero package – meaning higher cornering speeds and increased G-forces. And It’s much more physical to drive; the steering is very heavy and the extra G-forces add to the physicality.
“We hit the track Friday afternoon for practice and had four good long runs, where I really got the feel of these differences. The G-forces are incredible and it certainly was a good workout!
Severe Radio Interference
“On Saturday I qualified on pole and thus started the first race from pole position. (Unlike all other races this year, this event was operated with rolling starts instead of standing starts). The first two races were very similar, holding the lead through the first corner and pulling away after that to pretty comfortable wins.
“The third race, however, was a little more eventful. The compulsory radio we have fitted for Race Control to communicate with us on track came loose and ended up with my pedals, and was interfering with my pedal control. There was one point where the radio got stuck under my heel and I was unable to fully lift the throttle. After this, I deemed it to be unsafe to drive with, and pulled into the pits to have it removed. However, the pit stop cost me more than a minute and very nearly sent me a lap down. With the short time remaining in the race, I could only manage to drag myself back up into eighth position.
Fighting Through the field
“Starting four rows back in the fourth, I had a real fight to get through the field. It took me three laps to get back up to the leading two cars; and before the end of the next lap, I had managed to overtake the two of them! From here, it was not dissimilar from the first two races – gradually pulling away.
“In the fifth and final race, I returned to the front row for the start. After diving into the first corner with a little slide, I managed to, once again, extend my lead throughout the course of the race.
“The four wins across the day gave me enough points to take the win for the event. It was a fantastic preparation for Round 1 of the Australian F3 Premier Series at Morgan Park late next week.
The Power behind the Scenes
“Thanks to Errol, Scott, Matt and Jenny from Gilmour Racing and to my Sponsors ES2, Truck Dealers Australia, Edith Cowan University (ECU), The Wealth Designers, Kingsway Community Bank Branch, Inspired Insurance Services, Ballajura Indoor Sports, Impressions The Home Builder, Grand Toyota Wangara, Rvend Vending Machines, Fullworks Fire Safety, Signarama Joondalup, Online Logistics Solutions, David McDonnell, Focused Recruitment, F45 Training Hillarys, Trizone Fitness and Donna and Mark from Annerley Motor Inn for the accommodation during the event.
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