May 2006
Report from Donington Park, Rounds 3 & 4
QUALIFYING (ROUND 3):
The weather was awful for most of the weekend, though
it dried out a little for the first part of the
session. It was still damp enough that National Class
series leader, Rodolfo Gonzalez (T-Sport), almost put
himself out of commission by going off at the start
of the session and having to pit for repairs. That
left the way clear for Performance's two drivers,
Macau’s Rodolfo Avila and Finland’s Juho
Annala, to dispute pole position between them. After
trading times lap after lap, the fastest time of the
session went to our Rodolfo, just before the heavens
opened, soaking the track again and causing him to
spin off. Annala tried to fight back, but got caught
out when he hit a puddle, also spinning out of
contention. This allowed the recovering Gonzalez to
edge the Finn out of second place, before the session
came to a premature end, a victim of the unseasonably
heavy rain.
QUALIFYING QUOTES (ROUND 3):
Juho: "It was alright. The first session was a little bit difficult for me, just the car didn't behave that good in the little bit damp track and then I managed to put it off in the dirt. The marshals said that in the corner which I approached it had been raining about 30 seconds earlier so I think the track was wet. I wasn't the only one. There was loads of cars lost it there.”
Rodolfo. “The first session went quite well and I started pushing from the beginning, going pretty quick. I was lucky as well that Gonzalez went out and I could take advantage of that. I had a spin on the last lap of the qualifying when it started raining so much so I just ended in the gravel, but I did P1 before that. I'm really happy because it's my first pole position in England. I'm really looking foward for tomorrow.”
RACE (ROUND 3): The race was delayed, mostly due to the weather, and although it stopped raining just before, the track surface was sodden. The lights went out to signal the start of the race, and by the time they got to the first corner, Gonzalez was leading by an enormous margin, having somehow made a smooth start. Rodolfo made the most awful start, finding the huge amount of wheelspin too much to deal with. By the time he’d sorted himself out, he was 5th in class and had to push hard to catch up. Meanwhile, Juho was running second, but was about to lose a place to Cristiano Morgado (Fluid Motorsport). Pushing to get the place back, he made a small mistake with big consequences, and ended his morning deep in the Redgate gravel. The Finn was deeply disappointed, and didn’t take any consolation from the fact that he wasn’t the only one to fall foul of the conditions. Rodolfo was also disappointed with his 4th place, feeling that he’d thrown away a potential win.
RACE QUOTES (ROUND 3):
Juho: “I lost it. I tried to get a little bit more speed and got it a little bit wrong down-changing and lost the rear.”
Rodolfo: “The start was really, really bad. I had so much wheelspin. I was expecting a bit more grip and it just didn't happen. So I lost all of the positions and I knew since I came here that it would be difficult if it would rain. It takes a while to step up and towards the end I was going quicker but it was too late in the race by then.”
QUALIFYING (ROUND 4): The weather wasn't much better for the second qualifying session of the day. This time it was Juho who was able to get the better of conditions to begin with, holding provisional pole all the way through the first half of the session. He was pushed down a place at the halfway mark by Rodolfo, but they were both looking over their shoulders and wondering what Gonzalez was up to. Frustratingly, the T-Sport driver claimed pole for the session in a roller-coaster last minute scrap for positions, but at least it was by a much-reduced margin compared to the gap he’d opened up at Oulton Park. In the end Juho overtook Rodolfo to claim second on the grid, leaving Rodolfo to start from third.
QUALIFYING QUOTES (ROUND 4):
Juho: “The second session was a little bit better. It took a long time to get it better, because I think it was cold out there today and the track is cold and no rubber at all so just twenty-five minutes of driving around and then trying to nail it in the last two laps. I think I got my best time in those two laps. It's pretty OK though; Gonzalez is plenty quick but we are lots closer than in Oulton, and it's good that Avila is fast as well now, because we can both push together.”
Rodolfo: “The second session started off pretty good as well but then I got some traffic. I managed to stay on P1 a lot of time, but towards the end my tyres were a bit done and I think Gonzalez's tyres were in better shape than mine. I had a lot of traffic and I lost the rhythm and had to try and get back on the rhythm all the time. I know I can do it, so let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
RACE (ROUND 4): A torrential downpour minutes before Round 4 of the British F3 International Series was about to start left the track awash again. That man Gonzalez grabbed the lead from Juho, though this time he wasn’t able to get away as he had done at Oulton. With the awful conditions, pushing too hard was risky, and it wasn’t long before Gonzalez lost the lead to Juho. A couple of laps later, Juho lost the lead back to Gonzalez, and then lost another place to Morgado. A crash in the Championship Class saw the Safety Car scrambled, which should have meant no more excitement. Unfortunately, Rodolfo made a mistake and ran up the rear of Juho’s car. The result was a dreadfully mangled front wing for himself, and a buckled rear wheel and flat tyre for the Finn. The Macanese driver was utterly mortified afterwards, despite having been able to return to the fray, though Juho – who retired there and then – took it all very calmly. Just for good measure, Morgado spun away 2nd at the final corner, handing the place to Martin Kudzak (Fluid Motorsport). Rodolfo limped round to finish 4th.
RACE QUOTES (ROUND 4):
Juho: “I have had enough bad luck in my career so I'm not taking any upset over this. When it was properly wet I felt really good, really confident, but when it started to dry out I think it's maybe not my best conditions. Those guys just started to catch a little, and then Karl Reindler” (in the Championship Class) “got past pretty nicely and I didn't even have to even lift. But then Gonzalez was really close and he nipped past in the next corner, and then I defended on Morgado but he was super-quick through that Coppice corner and he just went round inside me. I just couldn't defend and that was it. I tried to keep up there, and maybe I could have managed to keep there, but then behind the Safety Car the whole bunch slowed quite a bit and then he (Avila) just locked a wheel and crashed me. I know I wasn't in his target, that's for sure! I think we could have done something together there, and we can go together past Morgado."
Rodolf: “I started pretty badly in the first laps. I just had problems seeing and then I started making up the field, and there's nothing much to say except I did a huge mistake and crashed into my team-mate so I destroyed both of our races. It's really bad because we could both have been on the podium..."
POINTS AFTER ROUND 4:
1st – Rodolfo Gonzalez, 83 points
2nd – Cristiano Morgado, 58 points
3rd – Martin Kudzak, 43 points
4th – Rodolfo Avila, 30 points
5th – Ricardo Teixeira, 28 points
6th – Juho Annala, 20 points
NEXT RACE MEETING: Rounds 5 & 6, Pau, France, June 3rd/5th.
QUALIFYING QUOTES (ROUND 3):
Juho: "It was alright. The first session was a little bit difficult for me, just the car didn't behave that good in the little bit damp track and then I managed to put it off in the dirt. The marshals said that in the corner which I approached it had been raining about 30 seconds earlier so I think the track was wet. I wasn't the only one. There was loads of cars lost it there.”
Rodolfo. “The first session went quite well and I started pushing from the beginning, going pretty quick. I was lucky as well that Gonzalez went out and I could take advantage of that. I had a spin on the last lap of the qualifying when it started raining so much so I just ended in the gravel, but I did P1 before that. I'm really happy because it's my first pole position in England. I'm really looking foward for tomorrow.”
RACE (ROUND 3): The race was delayed, mostly due to the weather, and although it stopped raining just before, the track surface was sodden. The lights went out to signal the start of the race, and by the time they got to the first corner, Gonzalez was leading by an enormous margin, having somehow made a smooth start. Rodolfo made the most awful start, finding the huge amount of wheelspin too much to deal with. By the time he’d sorted himself out, he was 5th in class and had to push hard to catch up. Meanwhile, Juho was running second, but was about to lose a place to Cristiano Morgado (Fluid Motorsport). Pushing to get the place back, he made a small mistake with big consequences, and ended his morning deep in the Redgate gravel. The Finn was deeply disappointed, and didn’t take any consolation from the fact that he wasn’t the only one to fall foul of the conditions. Rodolfo was also disappointed with his 4th place, feeling that he’d thrown away a potential win.
RACE QUOTES (ROUND 3):
Juho: “I lost it. I tried to get a little bit more speed and got it a little bit wrong down-changing and lost the rear.”
Rodolfo: “The start was really, really bad. I had so much wheelspin. I was expecting a bit more grip and it just didn't happen. So I lost all of the positions and I knew since I came here that it would be difficult if it would rain. It takes a while to step up and towards the end I was going quicker but it was too late in the race by then.”
QUALIFYING (ROUND 4): The weather wasn't much better for the second qualifying session of the day. This time it was Juho who was able to get the better of conditions to begin with, holding provisional pole all the way through the first half of the session. He was pushed down a place at the halfway mark by Rodolfo, but they were both looking over their shoulders and wondering what Gonzalez was up to. Frustratingly, the T-Sport driver claimed pole for the session in a roller-coaster last minute scrap for positions, but at least it was by a much-reduced margin compared to the gap he’d opened up at Oulton Park. In the end Juho overtook Rodolfo to claim second on the grid, leaving Rodolfo to start from third.
QUALIFYING QUOTES (ROUND 4):
Juho: “The second session was a little bit better. It took a long time to get it better, because I think it was cold out there today and the track is cold and no rubber at all so just twenty-five minutes of driving around and then trying to nail it in the last two laps. I think I got my best time in those two laps. It's pretty OK though; Gonzalez is plenty quick but we are lots closer than in Oulton, and it's good that Avila is fast as well now, because we can both push together.”
Rodolfo: “The second session started off pretty good as well but then I got some traffic. I managed to stay on P1 a lot of time, but towards the end my tyres were a bit done and I think Gonzalez's tyres were in better shape than mine. I had a lot of traffic and I lost the rhythm and had to try and get back on the rhythm all the time. I know I can do it, so let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
RACE (ROUND 4): A torrential downpour minutes before Round 4 of the British F3 International Series was about to start left the track awash again. That man Gonzalez grabbed the lead from Juho, though this time he wasn’t able to get away as he had done at Oulton. With the awful conditions, pushing too hard was risky, and it wasn’t long before Gonzalez lost the lead to Juho. A couple of laps later, Juho lost the lead back to Gonzalez, and then lost another place to Morgado. A crash in the Championship Class saw the Safety Car scrambled, which should have meant no more excitement. Unfortunately, Rodolfo made a mistake and ran up the rear of Juho’s car. The result was a dreadfully mangled front wing for himself, and a buckled rear wheel and flat tyre for the Finn. The Macanese driver was utterly mortified afterwards, despite having been able to return to the fray, though Juho – who retired there and then – took it all very calmly. Just for good measure, Morgado spun away 2nd at the final corner, handing the place to Martin Kudzak (Fluid Motorsport). Rodolfo limped round to finish 4th.
RACE QUOTES (ROUND 4):
Juho: “I have had enough bad luck in my career so I'm not taking any upset over this. When it was properly wet I felt really good, really confident, but when it started to dry out I think it's maybe not my best conditions. Those guys just started to catch a little, and then Karl Reindler” (in the Championship Class) “got past pretty nicely and I didn't even have to even lift. But then Gonzalez was really close and he nipped past in the next corner, and then I defended on Morgado but he was super-quick through that Coppice corner and he just went round inside me. I just couldn't defend and that was it. I tried to keep up there, and maybe I could have managed to keep there, but then behind the Safety Car the whole bunch slowed quite a bit and then he (Avila) just locked a wheel and crashed me. I know I wasn't in his target, that's for sure! I think we could have done something together there, and we can go together past Morgado."
Rodolf: “I started pretty badly in the first laps. I just had problems seeing and then I started making up the field, and there's nothing much to say except I did a huge mistake and crashed into my team-mate so I destroyed both of our races. It's really bad because we could both have been on the podium..."
POINTS AFTER ROUND 4:
1st – Rodolfo Gonzalez, 83 points
2nd – Cristiano Morgado, 58 points
3rd – Martin Kudzak, 43 points
4th – Rodolfo Avila, 30 points
5th – Ricardo Teixeira, 28 points
6th – Juho Annala, 20 points
NEXT RACE MEETING: Rounds 5 & 6, Pau, France, June 3rd/5th.
RODOLFO AVILA made history for Asia in BF3
At the second round of
the Lloyds TSB Insurance British Formula 3
Championship round at Donington Park young Macanese
Rodolfo Avila made history when he astutely conquered
"Pole-Position" in National Class – the first
time ever for an Asian racing driver. In the rainy
second British season's weekend Avila secured a
double 4th on National Class and moved up to 4th on
the class championship.
In Qualifying one Rodolfo Avila was incredibly the fastest National Class driver and in Qualifying two he secured the 3rd position in the grid. "The Pole was fantastic for me and for all my team crew. I believe It was possible to do better in the second qualifying but the tyres were destroyed very soon and hadn't many clean laps to get a proper time. Anyway I am extremely happy with my achievement".
With the meeting affected by changeable weather, and often extremely wet, the two rounds took place in very alike conditions. In race one, Avila had a difficult start, especially after being almost hit by Keiko Ihara at the start which left him in the end of the field. "Race didn't go very well at all. Conditions were really bad as for all of us but I don't feel comfortable in wet yet. I did a bad start and couldn't lap on my opponent’s times“, he held.
The rain was present during the whole weekend at Donington Park and was still there at the start of the second race. Unfortunately, Avila made a mistake on a Safety Car lap and ran up the rear of his Performance Racing team-mate, Finnish driver Juho Annala. The result was a dreadfully mangled front wing for himself. The Macanese driver was utterly mortified afterwards, despite having been able to return to the battle. He finished 4th, although this was a disappointment to ex-Asia Formula Renault 2.0. Champion, who was clearly quicker than the result suggested. Avila was naturally despondent after his frustrating Sunday, but remains confident that he has the ability to succeed once his luck changes. "I'm a little bit disappointed. It was a mistake. I'm sorry Juho! I didn't get a good start again but I could recover some positions after two/three laps. When the track was getting dry and I was lapping quite fastly the Safety car entered and then the accident happened.
I hope the season's start bad luck leave me alone now", said the driver sponsored by Macau Government, Rio Casino, Hotel Fortuna, Macau-Slot.com, BNU, Gain Well Group, Tong-Lei, CESL-Asia, PAL - Asia Consult, RP MACAU, CTM, Tsingtao Beer, Fat Siu Lau Restaurant, PT Asia and Sujika Crafts.
After another arduous race weekend Avila now hold fourth position in the National Class championship.
Macau driver next outing will be the French double-header rounds in Pau's street circuit on June 3-6, an event very similar to Macau Grand Prix.
In Qualifying one Rodolfo Avila was incredibly the fastest National Class driver and in Qualifying two he secured the 3rd position in the grid. "The Pole was fantastic for me and for all my team crew. I believe It was possible to do better in the second qualifying but the tyres were destroyed very soon and hadn't many clean laps to get a proper time. Anyway I am extremely happy with my achievement".
With the meeting affected by changeable weather, and often extremely wet, the two rounds took place in very alike conditions. In race one, Avila had a difficult start, especially after being almost hit by Keiko Ihara at the start which left him in the end of the field. "Race didn't go very well at all. Conditions were really bad as for all of us but I don't feel comfortable in wet yet. I did a bad start and couldn't lap on my opponent’s times“, he held.
The rain was present during the whole weekend at Donington Park and was still there at the start of the second race. Unfortunately, Avila made a mistake on a Safety Car lap and ran up the rear of his Performance Racing team-mate, Finnish driver Juho Annala. The result was a dreadfully mangled front wing for himself. The Macanese driver was utterly mortified afterwards, despite having been able to return to the battle. He finished 4th, although this was a disappointment to ex-Asia Formula Renault 2.0. Champion, who was clearly quicker than the result suggested. Avila was naturally despondent after his frustrating Sunday, but remains confident that he has the ability to succeed once his luck changes. "I'm a little bit disappointed. It was a mistake. I'm sorry Juho! I didn't get a good start again but I could recover some positions after two/three laps. When the track was getting dry and I was lapping quite fastly the Safety car entered and then the accident happened.
I hope the season's start bad luck leave me alone now", said the driver sponsored by Macau Government, Rio Casino, Hotel Fortuna, Macau-Slot.com, BNU, Gain Well Group, Tong-Lei, CESL-Asia, PAL - Asia Consult, RP MACAU, CTM, Tsingtao Beer, Fat Siu Lau Restaurant, PT Asia and Sujika Crafts.
After another arduous race weekend Avila now hold fourth position in the National Class championship.
Macau driver next outing will be the French double-header rounds in Pau's street circuit on June 3-6, an event very similar to Macau Grand Prix.
Double podium for Annala at Lausitzring
Finish Formula 3 ace
Juho Annala had a very successful weekend when he did
his debut in the German Formula 3 Recaro Cup. Juho
managed to to climb on to the 3rd step of the podium
in both races.
Juho is now looking forward to the 2nd race of the British Formula 3 International series May 20-21 at Donington Park...
Juho is now looking forward to the 2nd race of the British Formula 3 International series May 20-21 at Donington Park...
RODOLFO AVILA’s nightmare weekend at Lausitzring
Rodolfo Avila travelled
to Germany to race in Recaro F3 Cup Eurospeedway
Lausitz event aiming to prepare Macau Grand Prix F3
race in the end of the season. Unfortunately, the
German mission was far to be accomplished.
Avila’s nightmare started on Friday. An engine trouble followed by a brake failure cracked completely the Free Practice session for Macanese driver. During Saturday Rodolfo Avila faced disillusion and disappointment again. After three laps to the East German circuit in Qualifying 1 the gearbox passed away and Performance Racing Europe crew hadn’t chances to repair it on time for the first weekend race. So Avila saw his F3 rivals from the grandstands in Race 1.
Lausitzring is not a good place to overtake. It’s bad news when you start 16th, like Rodolfo Avila in Race 2 on Sunday. The British F3 National Class contender did his best but it was impossible to do a better result without any proper practice before the Qualifying 2. Anyway Avila made a good race start and began to gain positions. He was 11th for a while. Unfortunately, in the middle of the race Avila lost the focus and lost positions too. ‘Racing for Macau’ car crossed the finish line in 13th.
“It was a very frustrating weekend. We had technical problems and I couldn’t concentrate myself enough in the end of Race 2. I don’t know why but I lost my concentration and couldn’t keep my opponents behind. I’m very disappointed with myself. Anyway I hope we can do better for the rest of the season”, held Avila, who presented a brand new sponsor in this event – Sujika Crafts, a Thai and Mongolian decoration products Shop to open very soon in Macau at Fisherman’s Wharf.
The driver sponsored by Macau Government, Rio Casino, Hotel Fortuna, Macau-Slot.com, BNU, Gain Well Group, Tong-Lei, CESL-Asia, Profabril - Asia Consult, RP MACAU, CTM, Tsingtao Beer, Fat Siu Lau Restaurant and PT Asia will be back to British F3 International Series next weekend.
Avila will test at Donington Park next Thursday (May 18), in preparation for the double-header rounds, at the Leicestershire parkland track on May 20/21.
Avila’s nightmare started on Friday. An engine trouble followed by a brake failure cracked completely the Free Practice session for Macanese driver. During Saturday Rodolfo Avila faced disillusion and disappointment again. After three laps to the East German circuit in Qualifying 1 the gearbox passed away and Performance Racing Europe crew hadn’t chances to repair it on time for the first weekend race. So Avila saw his F3 rivals from the grandstands in Race 1.
Lausitzring is not a good place to overtake. It’s bad news when you start 16th, like Rodolfo Avila in Race 2 on Sunday. The British F3 National Class contender did his best but it was impossible to do a better result without any proper practice before the Qualifying 2. Anyway Avila made a good race start and began to gain positions. He was 11th for a while. Unfortunately, in the middle of the race Avila lost the focus and lost positions too. ‘Racing for Macau’ car crossed the finish line in 13th.
“It was a very frustrating weekend. We had technical problems and I couldn’t concentrate myself enough in the end of Race 2. I don’t know why but I lost my concentration and couldn’t keep my opponents behind. I’m very disappointed with myself. Anyway I hope we can do better for the rest of the season”, held Avila, who presented a brand new sponsor in this event – Sujika Crafts, a Thai and Mongolian decoration products Shop to open very soon in Macau at Fisherman’s Wharf.
The driver sponsored by Macau Government, Rio Casino, Hotel Fortuna, Macau-Slot.com, BNU, Gain Well Group, Tong-Lei, CESL-Asia, Profabril - Asia Consult, RP MACAU, CTM, Tsingtao Beer, Fat Siu Lau Restaurant and PT Asia will be back to British F3 International Series next weekend.
Avila will test at Donington Park next Thursday (May 18), in preparation for the double-header rounds, at the Leicestershire parkland track on May 20/21.
RODOLFO Avila goes racing in German F3
Macanese motorsports rising talent Rodolfo Avila is
pleased to announce his entry into the EuroSpeedway
BERU Top10 Recaro F3 Cup event May 13-14 at Lausitz,
Germany. This is an extra race for Macau British F3
International Series National Class contender.
In the course of Beru Top10 event Avila will be racing for the Performance Racing Europe and drive the former Menu Motorsport Dallara F306 - Mügen Honda, instead of the usual National Class Dallara F304 - Mügen Honda.
"I'm just thrilled with the opportunity to step up the F306 for this event. I look forward to return to F306 cockpit. I did Macau Grand Prix last year on the wheels of this car. It's an amazing car to drive and will be my car for Macau Grand Prix, my favourite and most important race of the year", says an excited Rodolfo Avila.
The Eurospeedway Lausitz event is an excellent chance for Avila to start the preparation for 53rd Macau Grand Prix, who will take place on November 16th to 19th at Guia Circuit. The 19-year old driver is looking to achieve a good result in his German F3 debut.
"I know the track and in my opinion it's a very interesting one. Last year I tested there so I'll surely feel comfortable at the wheel quite fast. I don't know the German F3 Cup very well but I’m aware there are few top teams and drivers running in the series. All I want is to make a good result and train for Macau. I have no pressure as this is a one off", remarked the dedicated Macanese racing star who has gained more inspiration and confidence especially following confirmation of a new sponsor.
Latest Casino to open at Macau SAR, Rio Casino, part of Galaxy Casino group joins Avila's list of supporters together with the Macau Government, Hotel Fortuna, Macau-Slot.com, BNU, Gain Well Group, Tong-Lei, CESL-Asia, Profabril - Asia Consult, RP MACAU, CTM, Tsingtao Beer, Fat Siu Lau and PT Asia.
For Friday is planned a three hour test and the Qualifying sessions are scheduled for Saturday (Qualifying 1) and Sunday (Qualifying 2) in the morning. The Races are programmed for Saturday (Race 1) and Sunday (Race 2) after lunch.
In the course of Beru Top10 event Avila will be racing for the Performance Racing Europe and drive the former Menu Motorsport Dallara F306 - Mügen Honda, instead of the usual National Class Dallara F304 - Mügen Honda.
"I'm just thrilled with the opportunity to step up the F306 for this event. I look forward to return to F306 cockpit. I did Macau Grand Prix last year on the wheels of this car. It's an amazing car to drive and will be my car for Macau Grand Prix, my favourite and most important race of the year", says an excited Rodolfo Avila.
The Eurospeedway Lausitz event is an excellent chance for Avila to start the preparation for 53rd Macau Grand Prix, who will take place on November 16th to 19th at Guia Circuit. The 19-year old driver is looking to achieve a good result in his German F3 debut.
"I know the track and in my opinion it's a very interesting one. Last year I tested there so I'll surely feel comfortable at the wheel quite fast. I don't know the German F3 Cup very well but I’m aware there are few top teams and drivers running in the series. All I want is to make a good result and train for Macau. I have no pressure as this is a one off", remarked the dedicated Macanese racing star who has gained more inspiration and confidence especially following confirmation of a new sponsor.
Latest Casino to open at Macau SAR, Rio Casino, part of Galaxy Casino group joins Avila's list of supporters together with the Macau Government, Hotel Fortuna, Macau-Slot.com, BNU, Gain Well Group, Tong-Lei, CESL-Asia, Profabril - Asia Consult, RP MACAU, CTM, Tsingtao Beer, Fat Siu Lau and PT Asia.
For Friday is planned a three hour test and the Qualifying sessions are scheduled for Saturday (Qualifying 1) and Sunday (Qualifying 2) in the morning. The Races are programmed for Saturday (Race 1) and Sunday (Race 2) after lunch.