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Photo: Tom Tweedie had
a strong weekend at Wakefield and is now looking forward to
Phillip Island for his next challenge..
Image: By
Dirk Klynsmith / Graphic DAK Photography - Click to download
hi-res for media use |
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Photo: Tom diced with the '07 cars
again at Wakefield, running as high as second at one stage.
Image: By Dirk Klynsmith /
Graphic DAK Photography - Click to download hi-res for media use
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ANOTHER commanding performance has
seen Tom Tweedie mix it with the front runners of the Formula 3
Australian Drivers Championship at Wakefield Park, near Goulburn, at the
weekend.
Not only did the 20-year-old from Hunters Hill
(Sydney) dominate the F3 National Class ‘race within a race’, but he put
together a weekend-long performance that saw him mixing it with the more
experienced drivers in later model cars that make up the outright Gold
Star class.
The performance was a fitting tribute to the late
Graham Watson; the Australian motorsport icon having served as Tweedie’s
team manager prior to his untimely passing just two weeks ago.
Tweedie won his class in both 20-lap races and finished fourth
and fifth in the two races, respectively.
“It’s been an
excellent weekend,” Tweedie said after race two.
“When the season
began I wanted to run with the ‘07s and that is what we're doing
and have done for most of this weekend. It is great fun being up there
and running with those guys: They are all talented and are very fast so
it’s great to be up there with them.
“It’s very competitive –
but we have to keep up with the game to stay competitive and keep racing
them but so far things are going very well for us.
“Obviously the team was set back last week with the
passing of Graham but full credit to them, they have really pulled
though and done a great job – everyone is really positive ahead of the
next round.”
Tom and his Dallara F304 Renault made a particularly
strong start to race one – held in frigid conditions – after the
leaders, Joey Foster and Mat Sofi, ran wide at turn two allowing the #19
‘Red Kangaroo’ car into second place – a position he held for the first
lap.
He then raced closely with Ben Crighton and Mat Sofi for
several laps before finishing fourth.
Race two was more processional
– Tweedie settling into fifth on the opening lap and finishing in the
same position, though he remained well in touch with the leading group
of cars.
Earlier in the weekend Tom had qualified fourth for
race one, and fifth for the second race – on both occasions within a
second of the pole time.
The positive performance at Wakefield
will serve as a good lead-in to the next championship round, to be held
at the dauntingly quick Phillip Island raceway in Victoria, in three
weeks time.
Tweedie says that racing at the Island – and the
prospect of more competition in the F3 National Class from the returning
Chris Gilmour, and others – is something to look forward to.
“I’ve not driven an F3 car at Phillip island yet but we’ll do
some testing - and I know the track well from time there in Victorian
state series Formula Ford,” he said. “It’s obviously a lot different
from Wakefield Park – a lot quicker and more flowing.
“It will
be excellent to have some more competition in the National Class. The
harder you’re dicing the more rewarding it is and I look forward to it.
Chris (Gilmour) and I had a good dice at Clipsal so we hope to continue
that.”
The Phillip Island round of the Formula 3 Australian
Drivers Championship will be held between May 15 – 17.
The team
would like to thank Battery World, Tizzana Vineyards and the Team Tom
members for their continued support.
Check out more information
about Tom Tweedie and the Team Tom Supporters club at www.tomtweedie.com
ENDS |
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