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Mixed fortunes for Simpson at Snetterton
Stephen Simpson today (7 th August) led the field of UK Formula Renault Championship cars from lap one to the end, but unfortunately only clinched fifth spot.
A clutch problem led to Simpson's car stalling on the grid at the end of the parade lap, so the start was delayed while his Renault engine got turning again. As a result, a second green flag lap had to run - reducing the race distance to 15 laps - and immediately giving Simpson a 10 second time penalty.
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Steven Simpson through the
chicane
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However, a good start saw Simpson take the lead from pole-sitter Sean McIntosh and then form and maintain about a two-second gap, controlling the race. - and holding the lap record for most of the duration, until James Jakes found a little extra time on the penultimate lap.
Slipping to an eleventh place finish, Tom Kimber-Smith had a poor start from the grid - at one point running behind team mate Jody Firth - and had to fight his way back up through the field. Meanwhile Firth completed his race in 13 th place.
With his car appearing to be slower than the rest of the field, Jason Tahinci crossed the line in 15 th position and into the Team JLR circuit garage for an engine change in preperation for the second race of the day - and round 12 of the Championship.
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Stephen on the podium |
Fortune was a little kinder to Simpson for race two of the day when the young South African visited the podium after finishing in third place. "It's been a while since I was on the podium" commented Simpson afterwards. "It didn't quite make up for this morning, but it's actually been a really good weekend - having two strong qualifyings and two strong races, I really had good fun this weekend. It's been great."
Fortune wasn't so kind to Firth who failed to make the start after a problem with his car emerged on the green flag lap prior to the start. With Kimber-Smith and Tahinci completing the Team JLR line-up in 11 th and 18 th respectively, we now look forward to Knockhill in 3 weeks time on 27 th and 28 th August.
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