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 Their
rivals were warned about the possible home track advantage in the
weeks leading up to the meeting, but all of them failed to take
heed today as Team BRM dominated the two qualifying sessions at
Mallala raceway, sweeping the front row for both races and taking
the first three grid positions for tomorrow’s first race.
In
a dominating display by all three cars, team BRM now has the best
possible shot imaginable to take a much-wanted round victory in
front of their enthusiastic home crowd at the rural 2.6km circuit
tomorrow, and also help drivers Karl Reindler and Nic Jordan in
their respective championship battles. Perfect
conditions at the track meant that fast times were produced by all
competitors, with the majority of the field lapping substantially
underneath the existing F3 lap record at Mallala.
For
Karl Reindler, driving the championship leading #19 Dallara, today’s
two sessions were a chance to find some speed out of the car, after
being outpaced slightly by f3 rookie teammate Tim Slade. And find
some speed he did, setting an incredible 1m03.8858 to become the
first F3 driver officially underneath the 1m04 bracket for the weekend.
Reindler
backed up his awesome display in the second session, setting a 1m04.375
to add two championship points to his lead, now extended to six
points over closest rival Chris Gilmour.
“What
can I say, two pole positions! I can’t complain!” said
Reindler. “This is the third consecutive meeting in a row that
the car has been perfect in qualifying, which really makes my job
easier.” He said. “My tyres are still really good for
the races tomorrow, so we are looking in really good shape.”
F3
rookie Tim Slade again created a massive impact on the Formula 3
paddock in today’s two sessions, placing his Dallara on the
front row for both of tomorrow’s sessions.
Slade
carried over his considerable practice pace from yesterday, and
only missed out on taking an historic pole position by one tenth
of a second in the second of today’s sessions.
Despite
his impressive debut form, Slade was slightly disappointed with
today’s runs.
“I
think perhaps we had a bit to good a day yesterday (Where he was
fastest in both practice sessions) so I am a bit disappointed about
missing pole today,” Slade commented.
“The
car felt a bit unbalanced today with the different track conditions,
and we ended up chasing our tails for most of the day.” He
said.
“But
I think we can go really well in tomorrow’s races, so I am
looking forward to it.”
Nic
Jordan inched to within ten points of a Trophy class championship
win today, taking his Dallara F398 to his best ever qualifying position
– 3rd for race one with a time of 1m04.8371 - just nine tenths
behind his pole sitting team-mate.
Jordan
backed up that performance with a fifth in the second session, this
time just five-tenths from pole position. Justifiably, the teenage
Kiwi sensation was pleased with his incredible performance.
“The
track changed a lot today,” said Jordan, echoing Slade’s
comments. “I am sure that I can find better times out of the
car tomorrow in the races, so I will be trying my hardest.”
He said.
“But
I am really happy with my third place for race one. Tomorrow I want
to race with the leading cars.”
With
three cars right on the money, team owner Bronte Rundle was thrilled
with the day’s performances.
“To
say our drivers exceeded our expectations today would be an understatement,”
he said. “It is brilliant to have three cars in the first three
grid positions for tomorrow’s races, and we are looking really
good. It is also great that we have been able to inch closer again
to the championship in Trophy Class with Nic, and the two points
for Karl will help his case as well.” He said.
The
penultimate round of the Australian Formula 3 race will be conducted
over two 16-lap races tomorrow, which could see the series leaving
the circuit tomorrow night with a new Trophy Class champion.
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