|
Team
BRM have left Winton Raceway and Round 4 of the 2004 Australian
Formula 3 Championship with mixed emotions, after a day that saw
race-winning performances given from both drivers. Unfortunately,
the day also featured a disappointing call made by meeting officials
that undoubtedly cost Karl Reindler a race 1 win.
Reindler,
driving the #19 UTS Geophysics Dallara F301 Speiss-Opel, was dominant
in race one and lead comfortably despite safety car interruptions
throughout the race.
On
lap 11 circuit officials deemed that Reindler’s car was above
the vehicle noise limit permitted in Formula 3 racing. The car was
black flagged and called into the pits, dropping Karl to 11th with
just two laps remaining. He gained two positions in the remaining
two laps to finish the race in a disappointing 9th position.
After
the race, team owner Bronte Rundle expressed his disappointment
over the meeting official’s call. “I am very disappointed
that our car was the only one singled out as being over the noise
threshold, when clearly all the other cars were just as loud and
nothing was done.”
“The
fact that Karl had a comfortable lead ended up being his downfall,
because all the other cars were running in a pack, (which would
have made it hard to judge wether they were too loud or not.)”
He said.
“The
team hopes that a review of the race 1 results is conducted by the
Formula 3 Association to try and sort this out.”
“The
team has worked so hard to get the car to where it is this weekend,”
said driver Karl Reindler. “So this is a major disappointment
not just for me, but for the entire team. We had the fastest car
out there and we deserved to be out in front.”
After
his incredible qualifying performances, Trophy Class championship
leader Nic Jordan finished fifth outright in race one, some 20 seconds
ahead of his nearest rival. In a stunning performance, the 16-year-old
New Zealander also set a best lap time some 1.3 seconds quicker
than his qualifying best.
Race
two was a much better show for Team BRM’s championship class
driver, as Karl and leader Ian Dyk staged a mighty battle for the
entire race. Starting from third on the grid, the BRM Driver made
the better start and slotted into second as the field sorted themselves
out.
From
that point onwards the two were never separated by much more than
a few tenths and after throwing everything he had at the leader,
just six tenths separated Reindler from eventual winner Ian Dyk
at the end of the race.
“That
was an awesome battle with Ian,” enthused Karl after the race.
“It’s always good racing with him. He always gives you
room when you are dicing like today.”
“I
had a couple of goes during the race, but Winton is a hard track
to pass on. I am pleased with second.”
In
as just an impressive show, Nic Jordan again won the trophy class,
and placed in the top 6 outright. Nic also chased down and diced
with championship class runner Daniel Pappas.
“Nic
did very well again today,” said Bronte Rundle. “To be
able to dice with a championship class car during that race was
very impressive.”
At
the half way point in the series, the series points have closed
right up at the top of the championship class table. Karl Reindler
moves within 31 points of the series lead after salvaging third
place for the round, whilst Nic Jordan continues to remain in control
of the Yokohama trophy class, now 39 points ahead of the field.
Round
5 of the 2004 Australian Formula 3 championship will be held at
Sydney’s Eastern Creek raceway on July 15 &16.
Team
BRM Race 1 results:
5th: (1st trophy): Nic Jordan, AMS Group / ROH Dallara F398 Speiss
- Opel.
9th: Karl Reindler, UTS Geophysics Dallara F301 Speiss - Opel.
Fastest Lap: Karl Reindler: 1m18.0483
Team BRM Race 2 results:
2nd: Karl Reindler, UTS Geophysics Dallara F301 Speiss - Opel.
6th: (1st trophy): Nic Jordan, AMS Group / ROH Dallara F398 Speiss
- Opel.
Fastest Lap: Karl Reindler: 1m18.4225
Championship Points (After 4 of 8 Rounds):
CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS:
1. Chris Gilmour 134
2. Ian Dyk 115
3 Karl Reindler 103
4. Daniel Pappas 77
TROPHY CLASS:
1. Nic Jordan 131
2. Bevan Carrick 92
|
