Asian Motor Sports

Brits Charlie Hollings and James Winslow were celebrating after round sixteen of the Asian Formula Three Championship after former stormed to his maiden win at Batangas and the latter was crowned 2006 Champion.

In a race of drama that saw Winslow’s only two title rivals, Ali Jackson and Tyson Sy, collide with one another, the Brit’s second place was enough to put him out of reach in the standings with two races remaining.

For Hollings it is a first win in the series on the weekend he makes his debut for Team Goddard, the former British Formula Three driver winning from pole position, even if victory did not come simply.

Indeed, Hollings got a poor start and was down fourth by the first corner, just ahead of Winslow but behind Sy, Jackson and Moreno Soeprapto. Hollings and Winslow would eventually move ahead of the Indoensian driver, but were now some way behind Sy and Jackson.

Nonetheless, their battle came to a head on lap ten of fourteen when Jackson misjudged a pass on Sy, the Irishman hitting the back of his rival and retiring the very next corner with broken front suspension. Sy would last just a lap longer before his rear suspension collapsed and forced him out of the race.

Hollings therefore inherited the lead and held off Winslow to the chequered flag for his maiden win, with Winslow celebrating having wrapped up the driver’s title. Race one winner Dado Pena was third having found a way past Soeprapto on lap eleven.

Dado Pena had spent most of the race bottled up behind Soeprapto but finally found a way past on lap eleven. This allowed him to take the final step of the podium. Forsman, Bumgarner and Satrio were having a great race for the Promotions Class lead until Bumgarner made a mistake allowing Forsman a reasonable breathing space. Bumgarner had looked safe in second before losing fourth gear handing second in class to Satrio with Gaby Dela Merced completing the podium.

The final two races of the season will be held Sunday and if they are any where near as good as today’s race the crowd will have a great day’s entertainment.