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Gough Racing Builds Championship Lead - 16/04/07
Despite electing to miss the pre-race test, Gough Racing came away from Round 2 of the North-West Club Formula Ford Championship having extended their lead in the overall championship battle.
Competing on the International layout of the challenging Oulton Park circuit, Stuart Gough qualified the Oldfield's Autos backed car third behind the Northstar Van Diemen RF04 duo of Tom Bradshaw and Mark Chadwick, whilst fourth and fifth belonged to the Medina Sport Van Diemen's of James Cole and Gary Jones.
"Qualifying was a bit tougher than we were expecting", commented Stuart. "We did not test and that probably cost us pole position today as there were a few minor issues. The race is going to be tough as the times are still close. I'm sure we will in there fighting for victory." Indeed, Stuart missed out on a front row start by just 2/100ths of a second highlighting the competition at the front.
From the Start it was Chadwick that led at the end of the opening lap from Bradshaw, Stuart in third and Cole in fourth, these four breaking clear of the chasing pack. It was more disappointment however for Cole as he retired on lap three with electrical problems, leaving Gough, Bradshaw and Chadwick battling for the victory.
Lap six, and Stuart dove up the inside of Bradshaw for second, before immediately falling back to third with a loss of power. There was more drama to follow, however, when Chadwick, under pressure from his team mate Bradshaw, span away his lead, falling to third.
The path was then clear for Stuart to bring the Oldfields's Auto's Swift SC95 car home in second overall to extend his championship lead to 13 points over Bradshaw. Gary Jones, who was second in the championship, had a race to forget coming over the line in 12th position.
A highly satisfied Stuart commented, "The race was going well to begin with. We still had a minor problem under braking, so I was content to sit in third initially. I then made a really good move to get past Tom, but unfortunately as soon as I did the engine lost power and I could do little to hold my position. Running so close to the two cars in front in these hot conditions had badly affected the cooling and the engine temperature had risen to some 120 degrees.
"Mark then unfortunately span and I was left in a clear second. The engine picked up again after two laps, but by then Bradshaw was too far up the road. He is not doing the full championship so second is as good as a win for us today. Tom drove really well so many congratulations to him and Northstar Motorsport for their victory".
The race was particularly significant for Gough Racing as it was the last event for the team using their Swift SC95 after some four years of competing with the model. The team’s all new Ray GRS'07, which is hoped will bring about improved speed and consistency, is expected to be ready for its debut in rounds 3 & 4 of the championship at new Anglesey racing circuit in late May.
