| Chris Dittmann Racing returned to the podium in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship courtesy of Josh Skelton on a rain-soaked weekend [03-04 October] at Snetterton.
The Tewkesbury-based team arrived the 2.96-mile Norfolk circuit keen to bounce back after a frustrating weekend at Donington Park last time out.
After showing strong pace across pre-event testing, an electronic issue caused a gear selection problem during qualifying, restricting Skelton to tenth on the grid, with Bromfield Precision Engineering-backed racer Alex Fores, back at Snetterton after his race-winning performance in the MSV F3 Cup a week prior, just behind in 11th.
Skelton made forward progress in the opening contest through to seventh, with Fores holding his nerve in an ultra-competitive field to score more points in 13th.
Skelton, still in his rookie campaign in the UK’s premier motorsport category, then went several better in the reverse-grid race on Saturday evening, notching up his third podium with the final spot on the rostrum amidst the worst of ‘Storm Alex’.
Both cars were unlucky not to make it to the finish in race three, but responded in fine fashion in the final of four races, with Skelton rounding out the top six, and Fores sealing a hat-trick of points finishes in 13th.
The net result puts Skelton sixth overall in the standings, and with plenty still to play for up ahead, with Fores 22nd – but well-matched against other drivers contesting a part-season in the series.
The BRDC British Formula 3 Championship heads back to Donington Park, Leicestershire for the penultimate event of the 2020 season on 24-25 October.
Chris Dittmann, Team Principal:
“It’s fantastic to see the team back up at the front and on the podium after a tough couple of weekends in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.
“The weather certainly threw everything at us. It’s a difficult championship at the best of times, not least when it resembles powerboat racing!
“Josh’s efforts in qualifying, with only two timed laps and a car stuck in gear, were absolutely unbelievable.
“We were on the back foot after that, but both drivers did well to bring home another haul of solid points and showcase our true pace across the weekend, with both cars challenging in the top three.
“We’re looking forward to heading back to Donington Park – our newly-adopted home – in a few weeks for the penultimate round of the season, hopefully it’s another strong one. Thanks to the entire team for their hard work and commitment, as always.”
Josh Skelton (#43) said:
“It was a tough weekend for us this time out, everything was looking so good in testing, we were very strong in both conditions.
“We had an electronic issue which affected the gearbox in qualifying, which was out of our hands, but still managed P10. The races were always going to be tricky with the wet conditions and the spray. We managed a P7, P3, P6 and a DNF from being caught up in an incident.
“Happy to be back on the podium but I’m a little disappointed because the weekend could have been so much better.
“Onwards and upwards to Donington Park! A big thank you, as always, to CDR for all the hard work and support this weekend.”
Alex Fores (#90) said:
“If someone told me before the weekend we’d qualify where we did for the two races I’d have taken that, so I have to be happy with that performance.
“Taking the positives from the races, running well in 2nd/3rd in race two and strong pace in the top ten in race four shows that everything is starting to just click into place for us in British F3.
“Josh did a great job to come away with a podium, so I’m pleased for the whole team.” |
