Poor luck denies pacey Lola F3 runners
17.07.2006 by Harry Hogge
Lola F3 teams traveled to Assen in the Netherlands at the weekend for the
latest rounds of the German Recaro F3 Cup.
After dominating the previous ten races in the series, it proved to be a more frustrating weekend for the two Lola teams - HS Technik and JB Motorsport.
After Joey Foster claimed two conclusive pole positions for the races, the B06/30 chassis looked set for another pair of wins. However, some terrible luck ensured that Foster only came away from Holland with a 4th placed finish, 2 points for the pole positions and another point for fastest lap.
In race one, the Cornishman made a great start and was in the process of opening out a significant gap to the chasing pack, when dust that had blown on to the track, caught the 23 year old out, making him run wide and slip down in to 4th position.
"I actually saw the sand or whatever it was in front of me and slowed as a precaution, but there was just zero grip and I went off," said Foster. " It is such a shame because we proved that we were easily the fastest out there with the pole and the fastest lap. Several others also went off so it wasn't a case of inexperience at this circuit. In fact I learnt the track in just 4 laps during practice and it suits me really well."
With another pole position for race two, Foster was intent on converting it in to his sixth win of the season, but yet again fate intervened when a puncture took him out of a clear lead.
"I had another great start and then I felt the car pull to the left suddenly," confirmed Foster. "Then the whole tyre let go and I had to cruise back to the pits which meant I was effectively last when I got back out again."
The HS Technik Lola B06/30 charged back out in to the race but was only classified in 20th place. Despite the poor luck, Foster actually closed the gap to his title rival and fellow Lola driver Ho-Pin Tung.
"It is frustrating what happened but at the end of the day I actually closed the gap by a point," said Foster. "We will be back racing here next month and I really enjoyed the circuit. I am sure that after Lausitzring in a few weeks time we will have re-captured the series lead."
Ho-Pin Tung claimed two 6th places in his JB Motorsport Lola, the Dutch/Chinese driver was racing at his home event this weekend but he felt frustrated that he could not add more victories to his impressive tally of five wins from twelve races, so far this season.
Ferdinand Kool salvaged a tenacious 3rd place in round two to secure his sixth podium visit of the season at Assen. Unfortunately for him, race one saw him finish well down the field after an altercation in the opening laps.
The next races on the calendar take place on thee unique Lausitzring oval near Berlin on July 29/30.