CDR open F3 Cup campaign with victory at Snetterton

  • CDR make a flying start to MSV F3 Cup title defence at Snetterton 300.
  • Debutante Alex Fores storms to victory, podiums across both classes for Patrick and Phillip Jeans.
  • Championship resumes at Donington Park, Leicestershire, on 12-13 September 2020.

Alex Fores put in a sublime debut performance as Chris Dittmann Racing made a winning start to the 2020 MSV F3 Cup season at Snetterton last weekend [11-12 July].

The Tewkesbury-based team arrived at the 2.99-mile Norfolk circuit ready to kick off their title defence, with newcomer Fores joining the experienced father-son duo Phillip and Patrick Jeans.

Fores wasted no time adjusting to life in MSVR’s premier single-seater series, with the Bromfield Precision Engineering-driver setting an impressive double pole position at the first attempt, his best time a blistering 1:42.859 in an ex-Valtteri Bottas Dallara-Mercedes.

With Patrick in fourth and Phillip just behind in seventh, the omens looked good for a flying start to CDR’s delayed 2020 season.

And so it proved to be. Fores made a superb getaway and streaked away at the front of the field, his eventual winning margin an astonishing 9.5 seconds to kick his Drivers’ title challenge off in the best possible fashion.

And a daring last-corner move at Murrays on the final lap sparked jubilant scenes on the pit wall as Patrick claimed the final spot on the rostrum, marking the new season with a double podium for the team, with Phillip retaining seventh – and top spot in the Invitational Class.

Fores added another podium – including a great move around the outside at Wilson Hairpin – to his record in Sunday’s finale to cement the early championship lead, but the race will be remembered for a heavy accident for Patrick.

Heading down the main straight, Jeans ended up on the grass whilst attempting to overtake another competitor and hit the wall before rolling.

Luckily, Patrick escaped with no injuries, but it proved to be a weekend of two halves. Phillip took P6 and another Invitational victory to round out a busy double header.

The MSV F3 Cup heads next to Donington Park, Leicestershire, over the 12-13 September.

 

Chris Dittmann, Team Principal:

“Congratulations to Alex on an impressive start to the F3 Cup season. He’s taken to the car exceptionally well during testing, and the manner in which he stormed to victory in his debut will certainly have turned a few heads.

“The whole team is delighted for Patrick with that podium in Race 1. Equally, we’re all very glad he walked away from a scary accident.

“It was a strong weekend for the Jeans’ all round, with two solid finishes and a brace of class wins for Phillip, so the whole team can rightly be proud.

“Now we’ll head back to base and get to work prepping the cars ready for Donington Park in September.”

 

Alex Fores (#90) said:

“I’m really pleased with a dream start to my F3 Cup season at Snetterton. Two podiums, including my first win, and in the manner that we achieved them, is a really promising start.

“A huge thanks to everybody at Chris Dittmann Racing for their hard work on the car and support, as well as to my title sponsors Bromfield Precision Engineering for the fantastic opportunity.

“We head next to Donington Park as championship leaders, and we’ll be working hard in the meantime to ensure we come away with more of the same!”

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