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18th May 2009
A trio of podiums for the Dynojet Team at Donington Park
A thrill packed weekend was is store as the G50 Cup Championship moved to the fast and flowing circuit of Donington Park.
QUALIFYING
The timetable threw the G50's into the first circuit activity of the day. Track conditions were damp so tyres played a vital part in set-up. Frank used wets on the Dynojet car in the early stages, of the 20 minute qualifying period. He pitted for a change to slicks mid-session. As track conditions dried Frank managed to post some fast times in the later stages to put the Dynojet car on grid 2 for race 1, alongside Nathan Freke.
Frank: 'The session started in tricky conditions, with the track slightly damp. We knew we would only have a small window to get some good times in. I left it late, but managed to get a good lap in and only just missed out on pole.'
RACE 1
A rapid start by Frank allowed him to snatch the early lead at Redgate, with Nathan Freke and Chris Dittman snapping at this heels. Frank opened up a lead of about one second in the Dynojet car into lap two as the top three edged further and further away from the rest of the field. As the race progressed Frank lost the advantage as the car lost pace, and finished third for the first podium of the weekend.
Frank: "I had a lot of confidence in the damp and took advantage in the early stages, but once the track fully dried up the pace wasn't quite there. A podium is still a good result.'
RACE 2
The Team worked hard overnight making component changes in a bid to improve the car. Frank took the Dynojet car from 5th on the grid to 4th by Redgate and then upto 3rd as he made an inside track pass on Chris Dittman at the Old Hairpin on lap 2. The two leaders of Freke and Breeze, had charged clear from the start. Frank managed to cut their advantage with some consistently quick laps, however the 16 lap race wasn't enough to make position progress. He finished 3rd at the chequered flag, bagging more valuable championship points.
Frank: 'The Team did a great job preparing the car for today. It was a massive improvement, but the initial problem we discovered had put us on the back foot with set up and also my grid position for this race. Again, I am pleased to get another podium and with a few tweaks to the car we will have the pace to win.'
RACE 3
A wet third race didn't hinder Frank's start from grid 5, but a close shave to avoid contact put Frank on the grass at Redgate and down to 10th slot. Undeterred he climbed has way back upto 5th by lap 3. By mid race the Dynojet car was the fastest car on the circuit. Frank went about working his way up the order, picking off Rydman with a calculated move into the Old Hairpin for 4th spot, freeing him to close in on Dittman. Once on the back of Dittman he used the same move as previously at the Old Hairpin. Dittman fought back to take third again into McLeans but Wrathall was determined to make the place his and sealed the deal into Goddards before the end of the lap. In the remaining laps Frank closed the gap to second placed man Carl Breeze, but ran out of laps to mount a challenge. He brought the Dynojet car home in third and a third podium of the weekend.
Frank: 'I came off the line really well and went for the outside line round Redgate. Unfortunately I was forced onto the kerb and lost grip so ended up on the grass. A lot of cars came past me, but I just got on with my race and had good fun carving my way through the field. I have never driven this car in the wet, so we had no data to get a set-up. However, it just shows how good my Team is and what a good car they gave me, to be fastest on circuit for most of the race and be able to drive with such confidence.'
Championship Table
1st |
Carl Breeze |
283 |
2nd |
Nathan Freke |
263 |
3rd |
Frank Wrathall |
229 |
4th |
Christian Dick |
160 |
TELEVISION COVERAGE REMINDER
ITV4 live Sunday afternoon's 11.30am - 6.00pm
ITV4 at channel 28 on Freeview, channel 117 via cable and through the Sky Digital platform at channel 120
In addition, ITV will extend the duration of it's highlights programmes by 50 per cent from 60 to 90 minutes - whilst also increasing the number of repeats. These will be broadcast as follows: ITV1 on the following Monday evening
ITV4 on the following Tuesday afternoon.
Men & Motors on the following Friday evening
ITV4 on the following Saturday afternoon
Men & Motors on the following Wednesday evening (ten days after the race event)
Next Round: Oulton Park 30th/31st May
--ends--
Dynojet UK
Lower House Barn
Strickens Lane
Barnacre
Preston
Lancashire
PR3 1QJ.
Tel: 01995 600500
Fax: 01995 604724
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