Brits on top as Superleague Formula roars into the UK
After overall wins in both France and Belgium, Liverpool has established a healthy 24-points lead at the top of the 2009 league table as the teams arrive at the scenic Donington Park circuit for the third of six rounds on 1/2 August.
“I’m very, very happy to be racing at Donington leading the championship," enthused Adrian Vallés, the 23-year-old Spanish striker who races for ‘The Reds’. “This will be a great honor and I really hope that Liverpool fans come out to watch me in action. Everything has gone very well for us so far this season with a win, two thirds and a sixth place. I love the Donington circuit – it’s going to be a very exciting weekend."
Promising young British driver Craig Dolby scored his and Spurs’ breakthrough win last time out in Belgium and he’s confident of more success on what’s very familiar local territory.
“I’m on the crest of a wave and cannot wait for the races at Donington – the circuit is literally a stone’s throw from my home in Melton Mowbray," grinned Dolby, 21, whose success has taken Spurs to third in points table after four of 12 races. “Coming home on the back of my first-ever Superleague Formula race win and scoring Tottenham’s maiden SLF victory, the weekend will be just magic."
Adding to local interest, Aussie ace John Martin has been displaying plenty of pace in the Rangers machine. He led in France before a poor pit stop dropped him out of contention but bounced back to qualify second fastest for the first race in Belgium and then finished runner-up behind Spurs and ahead of championship leaders Liverpool.
“I’ve had a couple of tough breaks but have showed that we can be right up there challenging for wins when the Rangers car runs clean and we don’t have any issues," said the 25-year-old Silverstone-based Queenslander.
The three British teams, though, are certain to face stiff opposition from a field of technically identical 750bhp, V12 single-seater racecars – all more powerful than a current Formula One racing car – representing many of the world’s most famous football clubs.
The 18 car grid will battle for honors in two, 44-minute plus one-lap races at Donington – each featuring a compulsory pit-stop – with the top-three cars from both showdowns qualifying for a spectacular nine-lap ‘sprint’ Super Final in which the winner pockets €100,000.
Advance adult tickets are £10 (Saturday), £15 (Sunday) or £20 (weekend ticket). Tickets can be purchased from the Donington Museum (open seven days a week, 9-5pm) or on-line at www.donington-park.co.uk