BARC Formula Renault Championship
Round 5
Mallory Park - 17 May 1998

Race Report

Thanks to the Everyman Racing School at Mallory Park, we were able to test on the Thursday before the race and used this valuable time to run-in the spare engine. The sad state of the tyres did not allow Stuart to push for a quick time but hopes were high for the race on Sunday.

Race day dawned bright and warm. As expected, the new tyres transformed the car's handling and Stuart posted the fastest lap before qualifying was red flagged some 8 minutes into the session. Then disaster struck - the front brakes locked on as Stuart tried to leave the pits for the second part of the session, leaving him fuming in the car while the team tried to solve the problem.

After some 10 minutes, the brakes freed themselves, leaving everyone scratching their heads and wondering if the problem had been caused by a vapour lock. All the systems were bled through but no problem was found - worrying! Still, the first session lap was good enough for third behind Nick and Anthony, despite almost everyone going significantly faster in the second session.

A good start this time but Nick missed a gear, causing Stuart to brake or run into the back of him! So, fifth out of Gerrards, up to fourth by the end of lap one and hot on the heals of Paulo. Despite much trying, it took another 10 laps before Stuart passed Paulo for third and then disaster struck Matt Bartram at the Elbow. Matt was passing a back marker who seemed not to see him and pulled across the line, launching the Van Diemen into the tyres wall hard enough to rip the engine and gearbox out of the car. Matt was OK but another chassis has bitten the dust!

So, out came the red flags and - you guessed it - Stuart was still in fourth at the end of the previous lap! Anthony took the win from Nick, who retains the championship lead.

Hopefully, our luck will change soon!

Next race is at Silverstone May 31st - See you there.

Race Results 11 laps.

Pos	Driver	Car	Division	Time
1.	Anthony Dunn	Martini Mk26	2000	8m 32.63s
2.	Nick Dudfield	Tatuus RC96	2000	+1.00	Fastest Lap & Pole
3.	Paulo Rizzi-Isper	Tatuus RC97	2000	+5.52
4.	Stuart Wood	Tatuus RC96	2000	+6.17
5.	Joe Chedid	Van Diemen RF97	2000	+10.59
6.	Michael Nippers	Stryx RT96	2000	+10.71