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Formula Ford Festival
A safety car hindered Joe D'Agostino and Team JLR's hopes of a repeat of 2004 and winning the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch last weekend (21st - 23rd October). The talented young driver taking fourth place in the Final race.
The Festival proved once again to provide plenty of racing action over the weekend as Formula Ford drivers from all over the world descended upon the Kent circuit to take part in the prestigious event. Team JLR themselves had five drivers from five different countries.
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D'Agostino exits Paddock Hill bend |
A fifth place qualifying position for D'Agostino for heat one gave an exciting start to the race as the young American made up two places by the exit of turn one. "I had an initial poor get away from the line but managed to get past Daniel Roos and Rob Sunderland going into Paddock Hill. I thought for a moment I'd get second, but Michel [Florie] closed the door" said D'Agostino.
Also qualifying for heat one was Jonny Baker who took a 13th grid place, but improved by two places to take11th .
It was Japan's Kenji Otaki who took Team JLR's best grid position of the day on Friday, qualifying in fourth place for heat two, but slipped down to 9th position in the race - one ahead of Australian team-mate Nathan Caratti in his debut race for Team JLR. Norwegian Thor-Christian Ebbesvik completed his heat race in 15th place - putting him back on row 8 on the grid for his semi-final race on the Sunday.
D'Agostino was unable to improve on his third place start for his semi final race on Sunday, but Caratti improved by two positions after some brave overtaking to finish 8th and safely securing his place in the Final.
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Otaki prepares for the race |
Baker had an unfortunate slow puncture four laps into his race after contact was made to his rear right, damaging the tyre valve. Finishing the race in the pit lane, the Bath resident was sure of a fight on his hands in the Last Chance race for him to qualify for the Festival Final.
The second semi-final race allowed Otaki to then rise further up the order from his 9th place start to a 5th position finish, but Ebbesvik just missing out on a top 10 finish and automatic qualification into the Final, crossing the line in 12th place and now joining Baker in the Last Chance race.
It was Baker who had the crowd's pulses racing in his second race of the day with some exceptional driving from the young Formula Ford rookie. Starting from 19th place on the Grid, he was well aware that he had to fight up to 8th position to qualify for the Final, but with only 8 laps in which to do it.
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Baker goes up the inside at Graham Hill Bend |
In getting up to 14th place by the end of lap one, Baker was performing overtaking and undertaking manoeuvres that proved his talent on the track.
At the end of lap four, he got to 10th position. In going for 8th spot and an entry into the Final on lap five, contact was made and Baker was then demoted back down to 15th place. Time then wasn't in Baker's favour, but he battle to the end, finishing in 12th .
"It's a shame not to be in the Final. That's the second time I've had the chance [to be in the final] taken from me after the puncture in my Semi Final race. I've really enjoyed the weekend, and there's always next year" said Baker.
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Ebbesvik with his Grid Girl - aka Team JLR's Marisia |
Ebbesvik ran a close Second Chance race, starting from 4th , also finishing in 4th position, but securing his place in the Festival Final.
The climax of the weekend had D'Agostino starting from 5th position on the grid and 25 laps to get ahead and win the event. A good start once again off the line got him ahead of Florie and kept the pressure on the four drivers ahead throughout - waiting for the right time to make his move.
Caratti gave an impressive performance on track improving on a 15th place start and making up four places including wheel-to-wheel action with David Caussanel in the second half of the race to finish in 11th .
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Caratti approaches Druids |
Ebbesvik down in 24th position, once again got crowds adrenaline pumping as he began working through the field, overtaking Neil Tofts on lap 7 and then Rob Sunderland on lap 8 and getting up to 18th on lap 14. Despite pressure from Linton Stuteley, Ebbesvik was able to keep his Van Diemen car ahead while he prepared to make his next move. Until on lap 20, when Stuteley hit the rear of Ebbesvik coming out of Graham Hill Bend sending them both spinning into retirement on the grass.
The safety car was deployed to recover the precariously abandoned cars, closing the field back up and increasing the tension around the circuit as drivers' hopes and chances of improving their track position dwindled.
After three laps behind the safety car, the marshals were able to recover the cars and debris just in time to have one further flying lap around the circuit, Otaki taking the opportunity to take two places on the re-start to finish in 12th .
The Formula Ford Festival is renowned for excitement and a display of overtaking and close driving from racers all over the world. This year was no different and we look forward to the 31st Festival next year.
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