Sun and success for Protrain at Glan Y Gors Super 1
The warm weather created a great deal of anticipation and a perfect scene for some superb racing at Glan Y Gors for Round 2 of the Rotax Super 1 and the drivers did not disappoint.
Seeking repeats of round 1 success for Protrain in Senior Max were Jack Saffery and Formula K drivers Charlie Eastwood, Ed Brand and Reece Wade in Mini Max were Super 1 newcomers Alex Stott and William Creighton.
Although the grids were down on numbers from previous years they were packed with talent and from the beginning it was apparent that the standards were very high. Saffery and Eastwood both missed Friday practice instead coming straight in on race day with no preparation and set up time; despite this early indications were that the Protrain senior drivers were among a very small group of drivers who looked likely to achieve victory over the weekend with all drivers immediately on the pace.
In very challenging races Ed Brand and Charlie Eastwood consistently delivered and eventually Ed took a very well deserved second place with Charlie only 0.5 of a second behind him to take the chequered flag and third place. Jack Saffery also drove superbly all weekend to take a very well deserved ninth place, his best Super 1 finish. Reece Wade's new journey through Super 1 saw him in the repercharge but deserving his place in the final where he finished 27th.
The weekend was incredibly competitive in Mini Max with only 6ths separating first and 25th in some races! Protrain Drivers William Creighton and Alex Stott put in some very strong sessions with Alex losing one heat following an on track incident placing him in 14th place on the grid for the final, William was not so fortunate and despite some great driving the margins being so very close saw him in the repercharge. Alex drove superbly in the final and by making some perfectly timed moves took the chequered flag in a superb 7th place, a brilliant achievement for the talented rookie.
All of the drivers commented on the strength of their respective fields and how close the racing was over the whole weekend with the slightest error costing any driver dearly.
Gary Chapman was really pleased with the teams efforts over the weekend, " I am thrilled to come to GYG with some experienced drivers and some less so and to achieve such great results. There was an incredibly talented and competitive field in all categories and to finish 2, 3 and 9th in seniors and for Alex to take 7th after his difficulty in the heats is an amazing achievement. The Formula K has once again shown its pedigree against some of the best drivers in the country," he commented afterwards.
The team also had some good news from Whilton Mill where cadets Keiran Wragg and Cameron Ralph took fourth and seventh places respectively and Omar Ismail finished in fourth place in Mini Max. This was Cameron's and Omar's best ever finish and the team are delighted for them both.
The European team moves on to Kristianstad for the Rotax EuroMax and the UK team move on to Rowrah for the O plate.
