Formula BMW UK - Round 5 - Thruxton - Race - Final
Thruxton - Rounds 5 - 5 May 2007 - Race.
Henry Arundel (Fortec Motorsport) scored his first ever Formula BMW UK Championship victory with Championship leader Marcus Ericsson (Fortec Motorsport) finishing top Rookie.
Arundel made a good start from pole to secure a lights-to-flag victory and become the fourth different winner this year. After initial pressure from team-mate Ericsson, a mistake into the final chicane gave Arundel just enough breathing space to hold a comfortable gap from the chasing pack.
"It's great to finally get a win," said Arundel, "I thought I was capable but now I definitely know I am. Now I have one victory under my belt, hopefully the next will come a little easier!"
After dropping back from Arundel, 16-year-old Ericsson was left to defend second from a chasing Josef Kral (Double R Racing) who caught the young Swede in the final laps of the race. "Kral was so quick towards the end and was putting me under immense pressure, so it was good to see the flag," Ericsson commented. The Rookie remains in the Championship lead.
Kral put in an amazing drive to challenge from ninth on the grid. The Czech driver battled his way up the order, whilst still nursing an injury from qualifying earlier in the day, to claim the final podium position.
Henry Surtees (Carlin Motorsport) finished second Rookie. After briefly dropping down the order he pushed hard to move back to his original starting position of fifth overall. Oliver Webb (Carlin Motorsport), third Rookie, started fourth on the grid but unfortunately fell down to seventh while under pressure from behind.
After a jam packed schedule of activity today, the drivers now have time to rest before coming back for one final battle tomorrow lunch time on the quickest circuit they will visit all year.
- Ingo Lehbrink -
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