BRANDS HATCH, England – The Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in England was home to the latest Mazda Road To Indy Scholarship Shootout qualifying race for competitors racing in the Mountney SuperSeries for Formula Ford 1600. At the end of an 18-lap race around the demanding 1.2-mile track near London, it was Oliver White who crossed the finish line in first position to cap off a perfect weekend after setting the pace for pole position in practice as well.
White, a strong performer in the annual Walter Hayes Trophy in recent years, has his eyes firmly fixed on reaching the MRTI Scholarship Finals at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, California, in December, and at the wheel of a self-entered Van Diemen performed well to win the race, claim the opening Champion of Brands title of 2016 and also be rewarded with the Mountney Driver of the Race Award.
He said afterwards, “I am really pleased to have won. I came to the track with the aim of scoring my first win of the season in my first race of the season, and I managed to do that. I had a really good qualifying session and went faster around Brands Hatch than I have ever been before.
“I wanted to make a good start and lead into Paddock Hill Bend and try and dictate the pace and make no mistakes. I was under some pressure to start with, but as the race progressed I managed to break free from Luke Williams in second position to win. I am really happy.”
Luke Williams, driving one of Ralph Firman's new RFR16 cars, finished in second position, just over 1.5 seconds back with the reigning SuperSeries “Driver of the Year” Andy Charsley claiming third position in his SC Promotions/AC Motorsport-entered Ray GR15.
“This was the first race for the new RFR16 at Brands Hatch,” said Williams. “This is a very new car and we are working hard to find a good balance with the car and I am happy to say it is improving all the time. Oli (White) was very fast today and credit to him. I wasn't able to win today but I will be looking to do so next time.”
Andy Charsley's podium placing came after a race long battle with former Formula Palmer Audi champion Richard Tarling (Ray) went his way in the closing laps. Charsley said, "I had a good race with Richard and to stand on the podium was my aim. I have a great number of supporters following me again this year, and this is a reward to all of them for their help. Brands Hatch is the home of Formula Ford, and that is why I support the Champion of Brands and Mountney SuperSeries.”
Tarling finished fourth, with Lucy Wardrop (Van Diemen) claiming fifth and Jason Down (Getem-Mygale) rounding out the top six. A new class within the Champion of Brands for 2016 called Formula Ford Heritage, for cars manufactured Pre '93, was won by Innes Hickman in a Van Diemen RF89.
The Champion of Brands and Mountney SuperSeries continues on June 11 with another race on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. It is fitting that the Mazda Road To Indy feeder series continues at a Brands Hatch race event organised by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) titled American SpeedFest IV. The June weekend promises a true flavour of the United States, with races for American cars and huge collections of Americana on and off track to add to the atmosphere!