Rounds 15 and 16 - Brands Hatch - Preview The Formula BMW UK Championship drivers are looking forward to getting down to business at Brands Hatch, as it is the only track that plays host to the series twice so they have some valuable knowledge from their first visit in April.
Since the last visit a lot has happened in the series. There have been eight different winners of the 14 races, and at the last race meeting at Knockhill there was not only a first pole for a Rookie driver but also a first win. Ross Curnow (Panther Motorsport) achieved this double and so can claim a unique place in the history of the series.
Drivers have come and gone from the championship and Team Virgin Mobile Barwell will introduce another newcomer, Steve Roberts. Steve, who is a trainee chartered accountant, is from near Whitchurch in Shropshire and will have racing number 56 on his car.
Several drivers can claim the Brands weekend as their home event as they live in the South of England and one is Rookie competitor, Sam Bird (Carlin Motorsport) from Claygate, Surrey. It was here Sam won the Rookie category for the first time and he is hoping to repeat this success. He currently lies second in the class to Ross Curnow, but is not going to let the 43 point gap stop him chasing Ross, as there are still 120 points up for grabs. "Brands Hatch means a lot to me after I got my first win there. It is a very undulating track and as it is very short it is important to get a good lap as mistakes get punished," he said. Sam, along with his fellow Rookies, has had to learn all the circuits this year, so feels they are in a better position for this race as they have been there before: "I am hoping to be able to use what I learnt in April to get another win here, although both Brands and Oulton Park were circuits where I was on the pace fairly quickly."
Sam has a sister Zoey, who like him is into horsepower. However, hers is with four legs as she is a presenter for Sky and heads up their At the Races channel. Sam admits he is not a horse racing fan but says that with his stature he could be a jockey as easily as a racing driver.
At the first race of the season there were three drivers who were still 15-years-old. At Brands this is now down to one, and within two days of the meeting there will be none as Ry Leon (Motaworld - Quantexe Racing) turns 16 on the 24th August. There will be another driver having a landmark birthday very soon after the race weekend as Matt Howson (Team SWR Pioneer) will celebrate his 21st birthday on the 25th August.
In Brands Hatch free practice will be on Thursday (19th August) from 14.00 to17.00. On Saturday (22nd August) first qualifying will be from 11.05 to 11.25 and second qualifying from 15.55 to 16.15. The two 22 lap races will be held on Sunday (23rd August) at 10.00 and 14.25.
Key Facts
Winners: Josh Fisher 4, Tim Bridgman 2, Philip Glew 2, Simon Walker-Hansell 2, Joao Urbano 1, James Sutton 1, Ross Curnow 1, Stian Sørlie 1.
Pole Positions: Josh Fisher 4, Stian Sørlie 3, Philip Glew 2, Joao Urbano 1, Tim Bridgman 1, James Sutton 1, Ross Curnow 1, Matt Howson 1.
Podiums: Philip Glew 8, Tim Bridgman 7, Josh Fisher 5, Joao Urbano 5, Stian Sørlie 5, James Sutton 4, Simon Walker-Hansell 2, Christian Bakkerud 2, Ross Curnow 2, Ollie Smith 1, Matt Howson 1.
Championship Points: 1. Philip Glew 156, 2. Tim Bridgman 147.5, 3. Josh Fishers 139, 4. Joao Urbano 103.5, 5. Stian Sørlie 100.
Rookie Wins: Ross Curnow 9, Sam Bird 3, Jordan Wise 1, Dean Smith 1.
Rookie Podiums: Ross Curnow 12, Sam Bird 10, Jordan Wise 7, Marcos Vilhena 6, Jack Goldstraw 5.
Rookie Points: 1. Ross Curnow 218, 2. Sam Bird 175, 3. Jordan Wise 137, 4. Jack Goldstraw 123.5, 5. Dean Smith 119.
Team Points: 1. Fortec Motorsport 186, 2. Carlin Motorsport 182.5, 3. Soper Sport 158, 4. Motaworld ? Quantexe Racing 140, 5. Panther Motorsport 121.
