Aussie F3: Winslow still fighting - on and off track
James Winslow produced the performance of this season’s Kumho Tyres Australian F3 Championship as he blitzed the rest of a high-class field in race two of the latest double-header at Eastern Creek.
Having again managed to piece together a budget for the weekend, the Briton showed what he was capable of by lapping almost a second a lap faster than anyone else as he waltzed to victory by a massive 11.8secs, moving to within touching distance of the championship lead despite his precarious existence in the series.
The victory also went some way to making up for another controversial moment in race one, when Winslow appeared on course for a similarly impressive result only to be adjudged to have jumped the start from the front row.
The Team BRM car was already five seconds clear of the chasing pack when the call was made, forcing Winslow to take a drive-through penalty that dropped him down the order. The subsequent recovery drive hinted at the performance to come later in the day, as the reigning Renault V6 Asia champion stormed back to sixth place, lapping some six-tenths faster than anyone for much of his comeback and setting a new lap record by the same margin.
“Race one was another example of how much bad luck I’m getting this year,” the Briton pointed out, “so to be within a handful of points of the championship lead with all the problems is amazing.
“I’m sure I didn’t roll at the start of the opening race - even the clerk of the course said the same after watching the TV replay - but what was done was done. We had huge pace all weekend and, after dominating race one, only to get a penalty and have another win taken from me, I just wanted to show our pace in race two and win by the biggest margin possible.”
Again starting on the front row for race two, the Briton was determined to prove a point and, making full use of the decision to save on tyre wear in qualifying at the abrasive circuit, was able to establish an early gap over his rivals. Lapping almost a second faster than anyone else, the race was quickly over as a contest, allowing Winslow to cruise to the flag nearly twelve seconds clear of second place.
The weekend’s results leave Winslow just seven points off the championship lead despite things not having gone his way, and the Briton continues to battle off-track in order to source the budget to keep his title challenge alive.
“At the moment, I don’t have the money to compete at the next round at Phillip Island,” he confirmed, “but I’m working hard to find it. I’d appreciate any help I can get – it would be shame to let it all go after this weekend.
“I have to thank Team BRM, Driving Solutions and partners for the massive effort that allowed me to do Eastern Creek – as well as all the supporters that turned out to cheer me on at the weekend. It was very much appreciated and a great feeling to have so much support. I’m glad that I was able to reward that with at least one win – and hope that I can do it again at Phillip Island.”
Technorati Tags: James Winslow, Eastern Creek, Australian F3 Championship
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