Saturday, August 04 2012

Jack Harvey showcased his wet weather driving skills to come through torrential rain to record victory in the first Cooper Tires British Formula 3 race at Snetterton today (Saturday).    

With the track still damp from an extremely heavy rain shower, the entire field elected to start on wet tyres and it proved to be the correct decision as heavy rain descended upon the circuit midway through the race. This failed to distract Harvey as he went on to produce an impressive lights-to-flag drive from pole to finish ahead of Felix Serralles and Alex Lynn.    

Harvey made a perfect getaway at the start and he stormed into the lead as the 16 car field headed into Riches for the first time. Championship leader Serralles made a slow start but a strong defence allowed him to maintain second spot with Lynn following suit. Dutchman Hannes Van Asseldonk secured the best start moving up to fourth with Fahmi Ilyas fifth and Harry Tincknell in sixth. Jazeman Jaafar dropped back to ninth and left himself with a lot of work to do after an off at Riches.

It proved to be race to forget for Carlos Sainz Jnr as he failed to complete a lap after getting caught up in an incident with Pedro Pablo Calbimonte which saw the pair retire. Also in the wars on the opening lap was Tincknell as he picked up a left front puncture. The pit stop saw him drop to the back of the field.

Meanwhile at the front, Harvey stormed into a healthy lead and looked imperious with Serralles and Lynn in second and third. National class driver Adderley Fong made the most of the problems in front of him to move into an impressive sixth position. Jaafar soon settled back into his rhythm and he soon passed Geoff Uhrhane and Fong to move back into the top six, but his progress was halted by Nick McBride.

Torrential rain hit the circuit on lap five and this failed to disrupt Harvey's progress at the front, but with conditions worsening by the lap, the race was stopped on lap nine and a result was given. This gave Harvey a thoroughly deserved win from Serralles and Lynn, with eighth placed Fong claiming the honours in the National Class.

The Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series will be back in action for race two at Snetterton at 10:10am on Sunday.   

Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series Race 1 Top 10

1. Jack Harvey, Carlin, 9 laps
2. Felix Serralles, Fortec,+3.384s
3. Alex Lynn, Fortec, +6.101s
4. Hannes Van Asseldonk, +11.747s
5. Fahmi Ilyas, Carlin, +26.391s
6. Nick McBride, Three Bond with T Sport, +27.524s
7. Jazeman Jaafar, Carlin, +29.317s
8. Adderley Fong (National), CF Racing, +34.784s
9. Geoff Uhrhane, Double R, +37.746s
10. Richard Goddard, T Sport, +1min.05.221s

The next major event at Snetterton is the British Touring Car Championship on 11/12 August. Tickets are available in advance from £25, with free admission for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or click here.