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RAIN CHAOS IN MOTORLAND WSR

 QUALIFYING

After an excellent Friday free practice where he was quickest and third quickest in the two practice sessions in dry weather, Saturdays qualifying took place on a wet track.

Sten’s qualifying plan was to go out early and set a base time just in case the rain got worse, and then to wait for the last ten minutes to get the track at it’s driest with tyres still in good condition if it didn’t rain more. With no more rain, Sten wet off on the last 10 minutes of the session, but unfortunately Mikhail Aleshin spun off with 5 minutes remaining, bringing out the red flag. By the time the clock was stopped, three and half minutes remained, but the race stewards decided to call the session finished, leaving Sten in an unexpected 17^th place.

“After the promising start to the race meeting yesterday, it was a great pity that we did not get a chance to show our true performance in qualifying”, said Sten. “At least this year we have a qualifying session for each race, so this grid position is only for Race One.”

RACE 1

Weather conditions did not improve for today’s race and the field set off on a hectic first lap on a very wet track.

From his lowly grid position, Sten made sure he got through the first corner, and began a charge to take him up to 12^th place by lap four.  His charge was soon halted when in the tricky conditions he got a little out of shape under brakes for turn 5 and out a wheel on the kerb.  In an instant the back of the car flicked around and Sten ended his race in the safety wall. Despite the disappointment of the result, his early speed even in practice was impressive and the focus shifted to Sunday mornings important qualifying session for Race 2.

For Sten it was short but encouraging, “We improved the car a little fro these conditions after qualifying, and that gives us reason to be optimistic if it is wet again for the second qualifying. If it’s dry I am confident we can reproduce our Friday form to be with the front runners.