World Series By Renault At Donington/Event Thread

[thebullet]

Anyone Going? Should be good.

[dazbaz_99]

Im going to make the Saturday, then popping down to Silverstone for the night session at the 24hrs!

Anyone know how many people went last year to the RWS? Im hoping Saturday will be a little less busy.

[JimW]

I shall be there all three days. Great meeting last year, hope it keeps it up.

Just the right amount of fanfare to make it feel like a big event and a distinct lack of fuss and self-importance in the organisation so it is not a pain to work at.

Regards

Jim

[chunterer]

I'm going for the afternoon 3.5 Race one on Saturday and then all day with some family and friends on Sunday.

Cracking series and not a bad support card by any means.

[chunterer]

I'll be looking out for the main contenders in 3.5 namely Parente, Soucek Maldonado and Garcia.

Although is there a possibility that Rossiter or Kane could crash the party at home?

[JimW]

And here's a timetable. Watch out for changes!



Regards

Jim

[bella]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Although is there a possibility that Rossiter or Kane could crash the party at home?

*snigger* considering rossiter's recent collision form, the party should mind its back

(sorry, couldn't resist)

[thebullet]

Hope the weathers Nice.

[Rockmunky]

Yeah, i should be popping up on starday, depending on what time mr sky man arrives, and all day sunday

See ya there! I'll probably be in my metallica shirt

[chunterer]

Forecast so far isn't bad.

Been pretty warm again last 2 days but as long as it doesn't rain....

[Flat12-Aircool]

Can anybody tell me what is required to park my car in the infield section at Donington? Do I need a special pass, and if not which entrance should I go to?

[Kidzer]

I think you can get cars to the infield via the tunnel at Coppice - not sure about any special requirements though, sorry.

[chunterer]

Yeah kidzer is about right.

The only problem might be with 'officialdom' I.E gate/secrutiry people diverting you where they've been 'yold' to.if there's a lot of traffic.

I usually politely but swiftly thank them and say i'm jolly well drviing to where I want to park (sometime works!)

I'm gonna head round the back down to the opposite bank between Old Hairpin and Starkeys - get a nice view of everyone piling down to Old Hairpin and up past out of sight before they reappear between MacLeans and Coppice. Get a nice bit of sun there to boot!

Again much depends on where guards are directing traffic - last year I think a guy tried to stop me going round there but I don't know why because there was loads of cars parked round there (inlcuding campers) and hardly any cars on the bank in point.

[chunterer]

McIntosh quickest in second practice 1.18.289

from Danilesson, Pavlovic (clearly revelling in Draco car?), Valsecchi, Zaugg and Aleshin, Montanari, Kane, Salignon, Miguez.

Top 19 cars in that session covered by just over 9 tenths.

Maldonado languishing in both sessions, but then he didn't fare too well here last year....

[Flat12-Aircool]

Are they using the longer Grandprix circuit or just the National layout?

[chunterer]

'Grand Prix' circuit, must be as it was dry and sunny all day.

If they'd be doing the short circuit, times would prob be just under a minute or so

[dazbaz_99]

Yes Chunterer is correct, the meeting is running on the GP layout.

[Martin Haven]

Originally Posted by chunterer

'Grand Prix' circuit, must be as it was dry and sunny all day.

If they'd be doing the short circuit, times would prob be just under a minute or so

Correct on both points... GP circuit AND dry, warm and sunny all day...

Come on down for a lovely weekend's viewing!

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Martin Haven

Correct on both points... GP circuit AND dry, warm and sunny all day...

Come on down for a lovely weekend's viewing!

Like it, but you're not turning into Lesley Crowther are you??!!

[Martin Haven]

Our survey says....

Quack Quack Oops

Nice to see you...

Any catchphrase, that's me

[Martin Haven]

Here's what happened with the noisiest cars today (technical term there...)

08/09/06 - Donington – Collective testing

Drivers dealt a new hand!

Last season's runner-up in British Formula Renault 2.0, Sean McIntosh seems to be totally in his element at Donington. That said, there has hardly been a drop of rain here today amidst the greenery of the English countryside. But that wasn't about to stop the Canadian driver from setting the fastest time!
Like in Spa and at the Nürburgring, the meeting only really got underway on Friday morning with two collective testing sessions for the World Series Formula Renault 3.5 drivers. Only 29 cars are taking part in the Donington meeting, as Pons Racing was unable to find anyone to sit in for Celso Miguez, in the wake of his move to Comtec Racing. Eurointernational will again be giving a chance to two new drivers to make their debut in WSR, namely Marcos Martinez and Richard Keen.

This morning, the first session provided Milos Pavlovic with the chance to show that he is a promising new talent for Draco Multiracing USA. Having held top spot on the timing screens for the opening fifteen minutes, the Yugoslavian hit back immediately when Eric Salignon (Interwetten.com) snatched the best time away from him. In the space of two laps, Pavlovic set a time to beat which was nevertheless 6/10ths short of Felix Porteiro's record time set in 2005.

Clearly all the drivers were eagerly awaiting the second session to be able to move onto fresh tyres. Unfortunately, the session was disrupted by a series of incidents involving Hayanari Shimoda (Victory Engineering), Borja Garcia (RC Motorsport), Davide Valsecchi (Epsilon Euskadi) and Andy Soucek (Interwetten.com).

Sean McIntosh managed to make the most of the periods between stoppages to put in a clear lap and set the fastest time achieved by a Formula Renault 3.5 at this circuit: "Finally, I'm driving on a circuit that I know well! I won here last year in Formula Renault 2.0. We made a lot of improvements to the car between the two series and now it's paying off. But I know that that everything really depends on what happens tomorrow.""

Second fastest, Alx Danielsson also knows that he's in with a good chance on what is home territory for his team, Comtec Racing: "It was a bit mad out there, with people running off left, right and centre… usually right in front of me on a blind corner! I put in my best lap very early on. I now know that our car is in excellent shape for qualifying tomorrow morning."

Danielsson's new teammate, Celso Miguez seems happy with his move to Comtec Racing: "It's a real pleasure to drive this car on this circuit which I particularly enjoy. My goal is to be in the top five tomorrow."

With the fifth fastest time, the South African Adrian Zaugg (Carlin Motorsport) confirms the good form which earned him a seventh place at the Nürburgring: "I'm feeling more and more comfortable with the car all the time. If everything falls into place, a podium spot might just be within my grasp!"

Under the watchful eye of Damon Hill, Steven Kane (Epsilon-Euskadi) put himself up amongst the big guns right from the outset. Eighth fastest, the driver from Newtownards in Northern Ireland may be able to bring home some good results this weekend.

Back on the starting list after having missed out on the Nürburgring, Patrick Pilet has now joined forces with Tech 1 Racing: "It's good to be back behind the wheel, but I wasn't exactly lucky with all the stoppages today. It's difficult to get things done under such conditions, but I think the potential is there."

POS NUM DRIVER TEAM TIME GAP KPH LAPS
1 4 Milos PAVLOVIC DRACO MULTIRACING USA 1'19.035 - 183.2 23
2 21 Eric SALIGNON INTERWETTEN.COM 1'19.192 +0.157 182.9 20
3 16 Alvaro PARENTE VICTORY ENGINEERING 1'19.542 +0.507 182.1 21
4 30 Christian MONTANARI PREMA POWERTEAM 1'19.543 +0.508 182.1 19
5 8 Adrian ZAUGG CARLIN MOTORSPORT 1'19.647 +0.612 181.8 23
6 22 Andy SOUCEK INTERWETTEN.COM 1'19.707 +0.672 181.7 20
7 27 Alx DANIELSSON COMTEC 1'19.795 +0.760 181.5 24
8 7 Michael ALESHIN CARLIN MOTORSPORT 1'19.895 +0.860 181.3 21
9 11 Ben HANLEY CRAM COMPETITION 1'20.098 +1.063 180.8 23
10 25 Borja GARCIA RC MOTORSPORT 1'20.135 +1.100 180.7 21
11 14 Alvaro BARBA JENZER MOTORSPORT 1'20.148 +1.113 180.7 22
12 2 Davide VALSECCHI EPSILON EUSKADI 1'20.153 +1.118 180.7 18
13 26 Bruce JOUANNY RC MOTORSPORT 1'20.229 +1.194 180.5 24
14 5 Robbie KERR KTR 1'20.312 +1.277 180.3 20
15 1 Steven KANE EPSILON EUSKADI 1'20.314 +1.279 180.3 20
16 6 Sean McINTOSH KTR 1'20.337 +1.302 180.3 21
17 29 Gregory FRANCHI PREMA POWERTEAM 1'20.428 +1.393 180.1 17
18 28 Celso MIGUEZ COMTEC 1'20.502 +1.467 179.9 23
19 15 Marco BARBA JENZER MOTORSPORT 1'20.596 +1.561 179.7 22
20 19 Carlos IACONELLI GD RACING 1'20.617 +1.582 179.6 20
21 3 Pastor MALDONADO DRACO MULTIRACING USA 1'20.663 +1.628 179.5 13
22 32 Ryo FUKUDA TECH 1 RACING 1'20.879 +1.844 179.1 16
23 31 Patrick PILET TECH 1 RACING 1'21.322 +2.287 178.1 18
24 24 Marcos MARTÍNEZ EUROINTERNATIONAL 1'21.896 +2.861 176.8 20
25 18 Hayanari SHIMODA VICTORY ENGINEERING 1'22.037 +3.002 176.5 16
26 10 James ROSSITER PONS RACING 1'22.176 +3.141 176.2 7
27 20 Miguel MOLINA GD RACING 1'22.603 +3.568 175.3 20
28 23 Richard KEEN EUROINTERNATIONAL 1'23.121 +4.086 174.2 18
29 12 Pascuale Di SABATINO CRAM COMPETITION 1'23.764 +4.729 172.9 12


POS NUM DRIVER TEAM TIME GAP KPH LAPS
1 6 Sean McINTOSH KTR 1'18.289 - 185.0 22
2 27 Alx DANIELSSON COMTEC 1'18.323 +0.034 184.9 18
3 4 Milos PAVLOVIC DRACO MULTIRACING USA 1'18.378 +0.089 184.8 20
4 2 Davide VALSECCHI EPSILON EUSKADI 1'18.567 +0.278 184.3 19
5 8 Adrian ZAUGG CARLIN MOTORSPORT 1'18.639 +0.350 184.2 21
6 7 Michael ALESHIN CARLIN MOTORSPORT 1'18.666 +0.377 184.1 19
7 30 Christian MONTANARI PREMA POWERTEAM 1'18.670 +0.381 184.1 21
8 1 Steven KANE EPSILON EUSKADI 1'18.680 +0.391 184.1 20
9 21 Eric SALIGNON INTERWETTEN.COM 1'18.739 +0.450 183.9 23
10 28 Celso MIGUEZ COMTEC 1'18.777 +0.488 183.8 18
11 25 Borja GARCIA RC MOTORSPORT 1'18.858 +0.569 183.7 18
12 14 Alvaro BARBA JENZER MOTORSPORT 1'18.954 +0.665 183.4 20
13 16 Alvaro PARENTE VICTORY ENGINEERING 1'19.028 +0.739 183.3 17
14 5 Robbie KERR KTR 1'19.084 +0.795 183.1 20
15 11 Ben HANLEY CRAM COMPETITION 1'19.130 +0.841 183.0 21
16 32 Ryo FUKUDA TECH 1 RACING 1'19.144 +0.855 183.0 19
17 22 Andy SOUCEK INTERWETTEN.COM 1'19.195 +0.906 182.9 14
18 26 Bruce JOUANNY RC MOTORSPORT 1'19.243 +0.954 182.8 23
19 20 Miguel MOLINA GD RACING 1'19.256 +0.967 182.7 23
20 31 Patrick PILET TECH 1 RACING 1'19.331 +1.042 182.6 20
21 3 Pastor MALDONADO DRACO MULTIRACING USA 1'19.413 +1.124 182.4 14
22 10 James ROSSITER PONS RACING 1'19.440 +1.151 182.3 22
23 29 Gregory FRANCHI PREMA POWERTEAM 1'19.514 +1.225 182.1 22
24 19 Carlos IACONELLI GD RACING 1'19.588 +1.299 182.0 21
25 18 Hayanari SHIMODA VICTORY ENGINEERING 1'19.762 +1.473 181.6 13
26 24 Marcos MARTÍNEZ EUROINTERNATIONAL 1'20.267 +1.978 180.4 18
27 12 Pascuale Di SABATINO CRAM COMPETITION 1'20.530 +2.241 179.8 19
28 23 Richard KEEN EUROINTERNATIONAL 1'21.808 +3.519 177.0 18
29 15 Marco BARBA JENZER MOTORSPORT 0

[Martin Haven]

And here's the much-changed driver line-up... note only one Pons car in all the shuffling.. Musical Chairs

1 EPSILON EUSKADI Steven KANE GBR
2 EPSILON EUSKADI Davide VALSECCHI ITA
3 DRACO MULTIRACING Pastor MALDONADO VEN
4 DRACO MULTIRACING Milos PAVLOVIC SCG
5 KTR Robbie KERR GBR
6 KTR Sean McINTOSH CAN
7 CARLIN MOTORSPORT Michael ALESHIN RUS
8 CARLIN MOTORSPORT Adrian ZAUGG RSA
10 PONS RACING James ROSSITER GBR
11 CRAM COMPETITION Ben HANLEY GBR
12 CRAM COMPETITION Pasquale DI SABATINO ITA
14 JENZER MOTORSPORT Alvaro BARBA ESP
15 JENZER MOTORSPORT Marco BARBA ESP
16 VICTORY ENGINEERING Alvaro PARENTE POR
18 VICTORY ENGINEERING Hayanari SHIMODA JPN
19 GD RACING Carlos IACONELLI BRA
20 GD RACING Miguel MOLINA ESP
21 INTERWETTEN.COM Eric SALIGNON FRA
22 INTERWETTEN.COM Andy SOUCEK ESP
23 EUROINTERNATIONAL Richard KEEN GBR
24 EUROINTERNATIONAL Marcos MARTINEZ ESP
25 RC MOTORSPORT Borja GARCIA ESP
26 RC MOTORSPORT Bruce JOUANNY FRA
27 COMTEC Alx DANIELSSON SWE
28 COMTEC Celso MIGUEZ ESP
29 PREMA POWERTEAM Gregory FRANCHI BEL
30 PREMA POWERTEAM Christian MONTANARI SMR
31 TECH 1 RACING Patrick PILET FRA
32 TECH 1 RACING Ryo FUKUDA JPN

[Martin Haven]

Quite some evidence of dummy-spitting, I reckon...

[chunterer]

Here's a question:

Alvaro or Marco? - you decide! (please read in geordie tones!)

Oh and Martin thanks for the run down of today's times.

Are you commentating at Donington or there in some other capacity? If it's the former give us a shout as I have a suspicion a few of us might be parked either side of the track between Old Hairpin and Starkeys!

[Martin Haven]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Here's a question:

Alvaro or Marco? - you decide! (please read in geordie tones!)

Julio Geordio's brothers...