|
|---|
Latest News |
Quaife-Hobbs Wins In Mugello
Come and See Quaife-Hobbs In Action At Silverstone - For Free!
Double Podium For Quaife-Hobbs At Brno
|
|
|
Quaife-Hobbs narrowly misses maiden race win
Adrian Quaife-Hobbs from Tonbridge, Kent was the sensation of Oulton Park last weekend, when he became the only driver to lead Championship leader Dan Laddiman in a round of the 2005 BRSCC T-Cars Championship. The 14 year-old, in only his fourth ever car race, made a stunning start from the second row to take the immediate lead into the first corner and held the more experienced Laddiman at bay for three laps.
"I was first out of the pits determined to get a clear run as Oulton can be tricky with a limited amount of overtaking opportunities. We had a good run; I brought it back in one piece with no changes to make before the first race. I was really happy with the set-up and my lap times throughout qualifying were consistent."
The initial start of the first race was aborted following a first corner collision between Alex Mac Dowall and Emma Pascall and the total race distance reduced to just six laps. At the start, Adrian struggled off the line after being caught out while still in neutral and he dropped to last with it all to do. A storming drive through the field saw him up to fifth at the end of the first lap and he then enjoyed a four-way battle for third behind race winner Laddiman and second-placed Drew Lammas. As the race neared half-distance, Adrian had dropped to sixth behind Chilton, James Williams and Timpany but when Chilton made a mistake on the fifth lap, Adrian needed no second invitation to take the place and at the end of the race he finished a fighting fourth behind Laddiman, Lammas and Williams.
"Despite making a mistake at the lights, I'm happy with the result of the first race because I had to fight my way through from the back up to fourth. My race pace was obviously there so I'm quite pleased with that."
The second race again had Adrian start from fourth and at the lights there would be no mistakes, as he rocketed off the line to take the lead as they entered the first corner. By the second lap, he'd extended his lead to a second and a half from the more experienced Laddiman and things were shaping up for a maiden win.
Laddiman's experience though shone through, the first-round winner moving into the lead on the entry to Lodge Corner on lap four. For the remaining six laps Adrian wasn't giving up, the youngster glued to the back of Laddiman's rear bumper. The endless pursuit finally took its toll as two laps from home, a mistake by Laddiman on the entry to Shell Oils almost gave Adrian the chance he needed to retake the lead. But Adrian widely decided not to risk going off and he settled down to take second at the flag just half a second behind the winner.
"I made a great start, the best start ever and went right around the outside of Lammas and into the lead. I was already so far ahead going into the first corner that I was able to get the perfect line going into Old Hall and didn't need to defend it. I knew from the first three rounds that Dan is normally quickest over the first few laps of the race so I knew it was important for me to get away quickly. I'd managed to build up a second and half lead over the first two laps but gradually he caught me up. He had the faster line into Lodge on lap four and got by me but I was determined he wasn't just going to pull away and I managed to stay right with him for a while."
"In the end though his experience was far greater than mine and I think that gave him the edge. I did pressure him though and he made a mistake on the entry to Shell Oils Chicane he braked too late and locked up as he was carrying too much speed into the corner. I had the better exit but he defended well and I thought it best to finish second than to risk crashing out."
