Winning Ways Continue for Team West-Tec at Jerez
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Photo: Tom Tweedie Rockingham Test.
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Photo: Tom Tweedie Jerez Race.
Image: By Helen Jackson |
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The European F3 Open Championships enjoyed rounds 13 and 14 of the 2009 series at a balmy Jerez from the 16th to 18th October, with temperatures in excess of 30 degrees centigrade recorded for four days running.
After a satisfying free practice, Callum Macleod led the way for the British team in qualifying, taking eighth overall and a fine Copa Class pole as he sought to regain the lead of that Championship. Although fifth quickest in free practice Thor-Christian Ebbesvik was disappointed in a mystifyingly-low 12th place on the grid. Tom Tweedie, substituting for Kristjan Einar in the team this weekend, qualified his Copa Class Dallara F306 in 17th position overall, only just a second behind Macleod. The reigning 2009 Australian Formula 3 National Class Champion, Tom looked good on track as he adapted to European racing for the first time.
For race one, Callum made a good start to jump up to sixth before letting a couple of newer cars past, as he rightly concentrated on the Copa Class. Christian had initially looked set to make good progress but was suffering with gear linkage issues and Tom was badly delayed by the slowing Legris.
Callum maintained his position to take his sixth Copa win of the year with an excellent overall finish. Christian’s gear woes worsened until he was unable to change gear at all and he had to complete the last couple of laps stuck in fifth gear, dropping him to an unrepresentative 17th, while Tom eventually cleared Legris and begun an impressive chase of the cars ahead, although the race finished before he could improve from 15th place.
Sunday was another very hot day, and the West-Tec drivers were on scorching form as Callum jumped up to fifth at the start – a position he held to the end, while always remaining in sight of the outright leaders. Another stunning weekend for the young Briton with Copa Class pole position and two wins, with both fastest laps.
Ebbesvik made a demon start from his 17th grid slot before being delayed by a spinner although he was immediately on the move again as he spectacularly carved through the field to a fine seventh position, collecting the bonus point for setting fastest lap along the way.
Tom also had another battling race, again losing out to the same slower car before coming through to finish his first European race meeting in a creditable 12th place overall.
Callum Macleod: That was a really good weekend. I love this track and could probably have challenged more outright, but we had to secure the Copa wins first and foremost which we were able to do. The car was really good from the beginning of the weekend and I was able to run very consistent lap times, and I am now really looking forward to Barcelona.
John Miller, Team Co-Principal: After some recent poor luck, Callum has now got back to his winning ways and he was tremendous right from the first laps of free practice on Friday. He now goes to Barcelona with a clear lead, after taking seven Copa wins so far this season, although there is still some more work to do.
Thor-Christian Ebbesvik: Qualifying was terrible and left me with little real chance in the races. Race one was another disappointment with the car stuck in gear, although the car was sensational in race two. It was a shame I hadn’t been able to start higher up on Sunday as a win was clearly there for the taking.
Paul South, Engineer: Qualifying was a major disappointment but Christian showed all of his natural talent on Sunday when he made some scintillating overtaking manoeuvres and set a superb fastest lap. He will be aiming to finish the F3 season on a high in Barcelona, and we all know that he has what it takes to do that.
Tom Tweedie: I really enjoyed the weekend, although of course I would have liked to have finished higher. I got held up early on in both races, which affected my finishing positions. I learnt a lot though and I was pleased to being the car home in one piece. I have really enjoyed working with the team, and am look forward to hopefully getting back behind the wheel with them.
Gavin Wills, Co-Team Principal: Tom really did a very good job. He came here with no knowledge of the track, car or tyres and was able to lap within a fraction of a second of Callum, who is a class act. With a little more experience of European racing, Tom should be able to challenge at the front as he clearly has the talent and application needed to succeed at this level.
With Callum now leading the Copa class, and Christian in fourth place overall, the 2009 European F3 Open will finish its season at Barcelona, the home of the Spanish Grand Prix, on the last weekend in October.
End
Source: Team West-Tec news item 19/10/2009 URL: http://www.teamwest-tec.com/news_winningjerez09.htm |
