Joey moves 3rd in standings after Brands
26.04.2004 by AltoSport
Truro's Joey Foster finished 8th and 6th in the weekend's two UK Formula Renault rounds at Brands Hatch in Kent, and although a little disappointed with the results, managed to stay third in the Championship standings.
With overtaking opportunities almost non-existent, thanks to both the nature of the track and the aerodynamics of the cars, qualifying was all-important. In Saturdays morning qualifying for race one, all the massive grid struggled to find a clear lap on the short Brands Indy circuit.
"There were so many cars out on track that finding a clear lap was more down to luck than judgement" said Joey. In fact I didn't actually get any complete runs in, so although I was disappointed with eighth on the grid, it could have been a lot worse".
In fact, out of the 33 cars that went out for qualifying, only the first 28 in the times were allowed to start, and less than a second separated them in times.
In second qualifying for race two, a similar pattern emerged, with Joey starting the race on grid nine.
"Driving Formula Renault at Brands is incredibly frustrating. The only overtaking opportunity is off the line, once you are racing the dirty air from the car in front robs you of downforce when you get within striking range, and you have to back off or go off!"
The first race was a processional as expected, but in race two Joey fared a little better. "I had decided that, after the first race, I just had to risk all in the first two corners. I got off the line well and went from ninth to sixth through paddock, even though I had to drop a couple of wheels on the grass to find some room! But that was it, I could get close to the car in front, but the tyres go off very quickly when you are following so close, and in the end I just had to back off and settle for position. Very frustrating".
Rounds five and six are at Silverstone, and Joey is hoping for a better time there. "Because Silverstone is a much bigger track it will be easier to qualify well, the car is good and there is no reason why I shouldn't get back on the podium. It also offers some good overtaking points so I'm confident of good results".
Joey lies third in the Championship, and with sixteen races still to go, the title is still wide open.