Knockhill Preview - Rounds 17 & 18 - 2/3 September 2006
The Formula BMW UK Championship 2006 heads north of the border this weekend for the penultimate event of the season, which could see a new champion crowned. Twenty-year-old Irishman, Niall Breen (Fortec Motorsport), has been impressive all year with his cool approach and seemingly effortless performances in both qualifying and racing.
The top Formula BMW UK race winner of all time has eight victories to his name and has missed out on a podium finish just three times from the sixteen races so far this season. Despite seemingly cruising to most of his wins, Breen was made to work a little harder last time out at Snetterton by Oliver Turvey (Team Loctite). Turvey led from pole position but Breen stayed hot on his heels waiting for the perfect moment to make his move.
Following a close fought battle Breen eventually passed Turvey with four laps to go securing the top step on the podium once again. Although he may appear the 'king of cool' out on track, the young Irishman from Dundalk, has never lost his hunger for victory and will be looking to take the title in style this weekend.
He is currently 69 points ahead of his closest rival, Ross Curnow (Nexa Racing), who kept his title hopes alive with his second win of the season in Round Fifteen at Snetterton. With a maximum 42 points on offer from each of the two remaining weekends, it is still mathematically possibly for Curnow to take the title, but it will take some braveheart spirit. Breen however, will be looking to end the Championship fight at Knockhill, where he needs only 16 points to seal the title and leave the rest of the pack battling for second position.
Away from Breen's domination at the top of the table, the battle for the Rookie Cup could not be closer and looks set to go down to the final round at Silverstone on October 14/15. With the lead having changed in each of the last three events, any one of Henry Arundel (Fortec Motorsport), Niall Quinn (Carlin Motorsport) or Kimiya Sato (Rowan Motor Racing Ltd) could steal the crown. Arundel currently holds the lead on 212 points, but only twelve points now separate the top three. At Knockhill, free practice will be on Friday, 1st September from 11.45 to 13.00 and 16.20 to 17.35. On Saturday (2nd September) first qualifying will be from 12.25 to 12.45 and second qualifying from 16.25 to 16.45. The two 22 lap races will be held on Sunday (3rd September) at 10.20 and 14.20.
List of Registered Competitors for Knockhill:
1 Niall Breen IRL Fortec Motorsport
2 Euan Hankey GB Fortec Motorsport
3 Henry Arundel (R) GB Fortec Motorsport
4 Oliver Turvey GB Team Loctite
5 Niall Quinn (R) IRL Carlin Motorsport
6 Oliver Oakes GB Carlin Motorsport
7 Michael Meadows GB Master Motorsport
8 Kimiya Sato (R) J Rowan Motor Racing Ltd.
9 Ross Curnow GB Nexa Racing
10 Tom Dunstan (R) GB Nexa Racing
11 Jack Clarke (R) GB Nexa Racing
13 Chris Holmes GB Mackie Motorsport
15 Daniel Murray (R) IRL Filsell Motorsport
16 Roger Orgee (R) GB Coles Racing
20 Daniel McKenzie GB Promatecme - RPM
26 Daniel Ricciardo AUS Motaworld Racing
28 Jonathan Legris GB Motaworld Racing
29 Michael Patrizi AUS Motaworld Racing
40 Marcus Weller (R) GB Promatecme - RPM
42 Joe Osborne GB Coles Racing
44 Leo Mansell GB Mansell Motorsport
50 Greg Mansell (R) GB Mansell Motorsport
98 Matthew Hamilton (R) GB Coles Racing
(R) indicates Driver eligible for Rookie Cup
Championship Points Tables
Drivers
1. Breen (8 wins) 244
2. Curnow (2 win) 175
3. Hankey (2 wins) 158
4. Turvey (4 wins) 128
5. Meadows 127
6. Oakes (1 win) 122
7. Legris 74
8. Patritzi 70
9. Arundel 37
10. Quinn 35
Rookies
1. Arundel 212
2. Quinn 203
3. Sato 200
4. G Mansell 159
5. Hamilton 139
6. Clarke 117
7. Dunstan 54
8. Murray 53
9. Orgee 53
10. Weller 48
Formula BMW UK Championship Teams
1. Fortec Motorsport 409
2. Nexa Racing 176
3. Carlin Motorsport 155
4. Motaworld Racing 146
5. Master Motorsport
and Team Loctite 127
7. Mackie Motorsport 30
8. Rowan Motor Racing Ltd 29
9. Coles Racing 28
10. Filsell Motorsport 28
-Benjamin TITZ -
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