THRILLS AND SPILLS FOR FORD MSA FORMULA AT DONINGTON


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Quinn took a sensational first win from pole position, impressing many in the process – Photo: Jakob Ebrey

Ford MSA Formula had a lot to live up to after its the spectacular opening rounds a fortnight ago. Rounds four, five and six at Donington Park lived up to the hype.

Alex Quinn pulled off a fantastic lights to flag victory in wet conditions following a hail storm at Donington Park. The Rookie driver made a perfect getaway off the line, making amends for a series of difficult starts at Brands Hatch a fortnight ago, and kept TRS Arden’s Luis Leeds and Carlin’s Max Fewtrell at bay for the duration.

Said the Racing Steps Foundation backed winner: “It feels amazing to get my first win. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the weekend. It was quite tricky with the changeable weather, but I knew I could go quickly in the wet just like I did in the dry earlier in qualifying.

“I built a good gap to start with, but then I relaxed perhaps a little too much. I just didn’t want to make any mistakes and didn’t push too hard. This meant it got quite close at the end and I had to defend, but it was a really good race and I couldn’t be happier.”

The race was brought to a premature end with under four minutes remaining when a red flag was thrown because of Patrick Matthiesen’s stranded JTR at Coppice, denying spectators a thrilling three way fight for win. However, take nothing away from Quinn. This was a top drawer performance from a Rookie who has underlined his Ford MSA Formula title credentials.

Round five was full of incident with the Ford EcoBoost-powered racing as close as ever. It was experienced JHR Developments driver Sennan Fielding who kept a calm head, just as he had when winning at Brands Hatch, to take a masterful win at his home circuit.

In round six it was Max Fewtrell's time to shine. Just as Fielding had done in the morning, Fewtrell took a commanding lights to flag victory to round off a weekend which had already seen him record a second and third place finish. A truly formidable display from the man many tipped in pre-season as a title favourite. He leaves the Leicestershire circuit with a 13 point lead in the standings.

It was a fantastic weekend in the Rookie Cup too, with Jack Martin and Ross Martin taking a Rookie Class win apiece to put a halt to Alex Quinn's run of four successive victories in the class.

All results considered, it sees Florescu relinquish his championship lead after Fewtrell’s superb performance this weekend. Attention now turns to rounds seven, eight and nine of season at Thruxton on 7-8 May. All eyes will be on Fewtrell to see if he can maintain this phenomenal run of form and whether Leeds can finally join the roster of maiden Ford EcoBoost-powered winners having now collected a trio of second place finishes.

Alex Battipaglia


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