Lehdistötiedotteet - Rookie Race Shows Pace

Rookie Race Shows Pace

Season 14 saw a revamp of the fabled Rookie Series, and this season saw British rookie Jay Wellington take the challenge with modest goals.

Although only in its second week, Wellington turned up and checked out of Week 1 with a fantastic haul of points, qualifying at the head of the field by over six tenths, Wellington looked set to steal the show before an unforced error saw him drop to 5th, eventually finishing 4th. This was put right in race two as Wellington pulled a staggering out-lap in clear air, under-cutting the three ahead of him and decimating a seven second gap to take the lead and subsequently the win at Jerez.

But it was todays race, Round 2 at Djursland, Denmark that set the stage for two who may prove to be serious contenders this season.

Qualifying was as close as the race proved to be, with Jay stealing pole on the final run, reeling in a 0.300 gap to clinch his second pole by just 0.010 over 24 year old American Smythe.

The race was nothing short of a masterclass as the pair pulled out a healthy margin over their competition, staying just a half second apart.

"Smythe was all over me, he had the pace but never pulled the move to pass, we stayed that way for over forty laps until i ran deep and he was able to get by, this is where he showed his pace and before long he was well away over three seconds down the road. I had been forewarned of his speed by (fellow British Rookie) Paul Dover who had drawn the American in the previous round, to be honest i had settled for 2nd, together we had lapped the field up to 6th and had a comfortable 18 second gap over 3rd. Naturally i was surprised to see him make an identical mistake to my own and gift the lead back with just a few laps of the short circuit left, we crossed the line almost together, but the win was mine!" I imagine Race 2 will be decided by mechanics in the pit if we get another clean, fair race like this one!"

Both drivers sit just a handful of points off the top spot in Rookie Standings, with the field draws likely to become even more competitive as the weeks go on.