MEDIA RELEASE - For immediate Release - Monday, May 3rd, 2010
 
  TWEEDIE HOLDS THE LEAD AFTER PHILLIP ISLAND FIGHT  
 
 
 
Photo: Tom Tweedie in action at Phillip Island.

Image: Richard Craill Photo - Click to download hi-res for media use
Photo: Tom sporting the super slick new Stilo helmet at Phillip Island.

Image: Richard Craill Photo - Click to download hi-res for media use
 

TOM TWEEDIE, his small team and older-model car continue to post giant-killing performances and lead the Formula 3 Australian Drivers’ Championship as the series approaches its half way point.

A consistent weekend at the Phillip Island GP circuit in Victoria saw the Symmons Plains winner emerge with a further two podium finishes and a handy – if somewhat reduced – eight point buffer over Mitch Evans in the race for the CAMS Gold Star.

At a circuit clearly favouring the later-model F307 Dallara chassis – with their additional downforce and aero capabilities – the Sydneysider continued his good form by qualifying second and finishing in the same position in the first heat race.

Tom made the best start in race one and lead the early running before battling with Evans who was eventually able to slip through - though he then rebuffed advances from Ben Barker to maintain the position to the flag.

A wet race two threw a spanner in the works and whilst it started well – Tom again taking the lead with a strong start – it went slightly downhill from there.

After engaging in another furious dice with Evans and Kristian Lindbom on lap two, Tweedie settled in third place before being caught out by the wet conditions and rotating his Team Tom Supporters Club Dallara around on the exit of MG – eventually finishing fifth.

Lining up third on the grid for the 18-lap feature – the longest F3 race ever held at Phillip Island – Tom finished second and ensured that he continued to maintain his lead in the championship as the series heads to Mallala later in May.

“We achieved the goal we had set out coming into this (Phillip Island) weekend which was to finish on the podium and come away still leading the championship,” Tweedie said.

“The only race that really didn’t go to plan for us was race two, but aside from that it’s been a really good weekend.”

Tweedie said that to score the podium results at a circuit favouring the F307 cars indicated the teams ability to remain contenders throughout the season.

“We knew coming here that it would be hard to beat the F307s, so we had to maximise our results here relative to how they went,” he said.

“In two of the three races we beat all bar one of them so I think that we punched above our weight, which is a great feeling. We think that Mallala will be a circuit a bit more even between the two cars so we are heading there with a lot of confidence.

“Our team is doing an awesome job and the car is faultless so we’re really looking forward to continuing on from here and see what we can do about remaining in the lead!”

Phillip Island saw the addition of new support for Team Tom, with Wurth and Stilo helmets joining the team for the first time.

The helmet provider supplied Tom with a new ‘lid’ to utilise this season – the carbon-fibre design a striking addition to the already highly-visible Team Tom entry.

Team Tom would like to thank Tizzana vineyards, Wurth, Stilo Helmets and the members of the Team Tom Supporters club for their ongoing support of his Formula 3 campaign.

Action from Phillip Island will be broadcast on SBS Speedweek program on Sunday, May 16th at 1PM. The Team Tom Dallara carried an onboard camera throughout Sunday's two races capturing all the action.

For more information head to www.tomtweedie.com and www.formula3.com.au

STANDINGS GOLD STAR AFTER 3 ROUNDS
1st Tom Tweedie (AUS) 100 points
2nd Mitch Evans (NZ) 92 points
3rd Ben Barker  (UK) 72 points
4th Ben Crighton (NZ) 60 points
5th Kristian Lindbom (AUS) 43 points


ENDS

 

 
     
 
For more information, contact Richard Craill - Tom Tweedie Media & PR Manager - on 0408 813 141 or by replying to this email.

 

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