The second round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK brought the new faces in the Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell into the limelight, handing the first career wins to Andrew Morrow (Charles Hurst) and Jason Ambrose (Dick Lovett Swindon), while Lucky Khera (Graypaul Birmingham), with two second places, confirms his lead in the premier class.
Race 1. On Saturday the 488 Challenge Evo cars raced on a dry track, allowing the Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell drivers to exploit the full potential of their cars. After claiming pole position, H. Sikkens took his first win of the season after a fine duel with Khera, who did well to surprise him at the start. The leader of the provisional classification preceded Andrew Morrow, protagonist of a dynamic battle with Graham De Zille (Meridien Modena) for the third step of the podium. In the Shell Cup, it was the first career success for Jason Ambrose, who improved on his excellent debut at Oulton Park. The driver from Dick Lovett Swindon got the better of Jonathan Satchell (H.R. Owen London) and Paul Simmerson (Graypaul Birmingham). The latter was engaged for the entire thirty minutes of the race by his friend- rival Paul Rogers (JCT600 Brooklands), who was just 0″937 off at the finish.
Race 2. Full of twists and turns, the second race of the weekend at Snetterton in the British series handed Andrew Morrow his first overall triumph. The rookie was able to take advantage of a simultaneous mistake by Khera and Sikkens to take the lead and pass under the chequered flag in first position. Khera, who had started from pole, managed to finish the race in second place ahead of Sikkens who, after making a second mistake which resulted in an off-track excursion, recovered to third place thanks to a fine overtaking move in the closing laps on Graham de Zille (Meridien Modena), also setting the fastest lap of the race after an unexpected comeback. In the Coppa Shell, second consecutive success for Jason Ambrose ahead of Paul Simmerson and Paul Rogers. The race of the Dick Lovett Swindon driver was not without its twists and turns, which also included a spin, fortunately without damage to the car and without compromising the final result.
Ranking. In the standings, Lucky Khera retains the lead with 60 points, with Sikkens behind him in 2nd with 42 points, and Morrow, 3 points behind the Dutchman. In the Shell Cup, Jason Ambrose takes the lead with 56 points ahead of Rogers, 6 points behind, and Simmerson, 7 behind the leader.
The next round of the Ferrari Challenge UK is scheduled in just under a month, on 25 and 26 June at the Donington Park track.
There was no shortage of action and twists and turns on the Snetterton track, venue of the second round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK, but on the podium the protagonists of the last race of the weekend showed great sportsmanship. We collected their comments after the celebrations.
Andrew Morrow, first place Trofeo Pirelli: “I’m absolutely delighted with my first race win, it feels good. When I saw Khera and Sikkens overshoot – I got a bit twitchy there too, maybe there was something on the track, but I was able to hold it – I slipped through and got in front and then it was just a matter of keeping my head down and focus on the clear track. It was tough having Khera behind me, but I just tried to ignore him. Towards the end, he was starting to slip up but I managed to hold it together. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but it will!”
Lucky Khera, runner-up in the Trofeo Pirelli: “Two solid second places, albeit second places. There was oil down on one of the corners and I overshot, Sikkens followed me through, which lost me a place – I was lucky not to lose more places. But Morrow’s win is absolutely amazing, I’m buzzing for him. To come into Ferrari Challenge and get on the top of the podium on the second race weekend of your first year, fair play to him. I couldn’t catch him!”
Jason Ambrose, Coppa Shell winner: “I think it must be luck at the moment, but I am learning a lot and learning fast. I’m not perfect though, I still span in the race and let a couple of drivers through, so I still have things to do. I managed to pick up the spin pretty quick and get back involved, catch them, pass them and then power on, so that I am really pleased with. But I shouldn’t of had the spin in the first place. I could of qualified a little bit better this morning – I know I got second – but I still could have done better. But I am super excited, I am having a great time. Four podiums in four races, it must be beginners luck… or something!”
Paul Simmerson, Coppa Shell runner-up: “It was a good race, strong start. The grid was out position, I had a couple of Trofeo Pirelli guys behind me, but they got ahead and I let them go in the race. Then Jason came through and he was really quick today. He managed to get his nose in my rear and tap me a couple of time going into turn 3. And then span off but managed to get back on to the track really quickly, caught up me, dived down the inside of the final corner to undercut me and then just drove away, I couldn’t catch him then. I had Rogers behind me, but then that’s the problem; every corner I am defending my position which allows those in front to drive away”.
Paul Rogers, third place Coppa Shell: “Tough race, I qualified in fourth place which isn’t great, I overcooked my last two laps as the track dried out. It was therefore a bit of a recovery race; I got stuck behind Simmerson – again! He is a tough one to pass, and he’s got a brand new engine in his car so that makes a bit of a difference. But I think for a recovery position, it’s as good as it gets. Next time, I will qualify ahead of Simmerson, I’m faster than him”.
Source. Ferrari
PlanetPorsche 
Discussion
No comments yet.