Victory Makes It Five Podiums in a Row for Palmer
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64 The Argus, Saturday, May 24 – Sunday, May 25, 2014 l l l yourSPORT For the latest news visit www.theargus.co.uk/sport PIC: PHIL LAUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY by HOWARD GRIGGS Motorsports reporter [email protected] Victory makes it JOLYON PALMER claimed his second win of the season on the streets of Monaco yesterday – and then set his sights on another today. The Sussex driver overcame mul- five podiums in a tiple safety cars and a red flag to control the Monaco GP2 Feature Race for his second win at the cir- cuit and his fifth consecutive podium this year. In the process the 23-year-old from Southwater extended his championship lead to 44 points. row for Palmer Palmer, who claimed his maiden GP2 win in Monaco in 2012, will con- Ben Colburn at Oulton Park test the Sprint Race in the Formula One feeder series today. He said: “It was a tough race. Teenager After the red flag it was a case of Jolyon Palmer putting in qualifying style laps, on the podium pulling out a big gap and then the after victory Colburn’s safety car came out again. So some- one wasn’t making it easy for me first win is but I’m absolutely delighted. Will “amazing” Palmer BEN COLBURN described an “amazing” feeling after achieving the first race win of his career. The 14-year-old from Worthing followed three podiums in his first four races with a victory in round five of the Junior Saloon Car Championship at Oulton Park. And Colburn followed that up with a fifth successive podium “During the red flag period I just when he came second in race two had to relax, there was nothing I of the weekend. could do about it and it was a case of He is now just 15 points behind focusing on what was going to be a championship leader James 30-lap race instead of a 42 lap race. Dorlin, with a five-point lead “I still had to do a pit stop but a over third placed Ben Mills. safety car restart made it easier and we’ve had the pace all week so far so Qualifying went well for Colburn I knew we would be quick. The as he claim a brace of second safety car came in and I put the place grid slots. hammer down. He dropped bacK at the start of “It will be tough to make it six race one but a well-executed podiums from six races when I start manoeuvre on Charlie Kennedy eighth on the grid for the on the run down to St Devote 1.5 seconds quicker than the onship at Brands Hatch. until the red flag came out to saw him climb bacK to second Sprint Race but it has been a and was sitting second when rest of the field with a string Palmer finished third, then half his progress. When and he then began chasing down perfect start to the season the safety car came out for of fastest laps. claimed sixth and eighth in the action resumed, Palmer could Dorlin, taking advantage to go and everything has gone to the first time. Another safety car period following two races the next not improve his time and set- into the lead when his rival made plan so far. The DAMS driver eventu- was frustrating but Palmer day to leave himself fifth in the tled for third spot on the grid. a mistake. “The race was difficult, we ally got past Evans on lap 11 pitted and came out second championship standings. In race one, the HHC Colburn finished with the fastest still managed to win it but and opened up a four-second behind Stoffel Vandoorne. He The 17-year-old Sussex Motorsport driver used his lap of the race to complete a anything can happen. We lead before his advantage was then took a lead he was not to driver said: “It was a great driving skills to fending off memorable win. have seen so much chaos in wiped out by a red flag caused relinquish when Vandoorne day for me, qualifying third rivals for third spot to finish GP2, even in that race so we’ll when the two Arden cars col- pitted on lap 33. and holding that place to take in that position behind team- He said: “It feel’s absolutely see what Saturday has to lided at the Fairmont Hairpin. Meanwhile, younger my first podium of the season mate Raoul Hyman, who won amazing. I didn’t believe it when bring.” When the race resumed, brother Will Palmer claimed in race one.” the race, and Arjun Maini. I crossed the line. I honestly Starting from pole posi- Palmer set about building a his first podium of the He was fastest in the open- Palmer will next be in didn’t think it would happen so tion, Palmer was out dragged big lead, lapping with a blis- season in round two of the ing practice session and action at Snetterton on June early in the season. offthe line by Mitch Evans tering pace and at times was BRDC Formula 4 Champi- looked sharp in qualifying 21/22. “I must thank all my team for giving me a mint car to drive and now their hard work has paid Attrition at Arlington TT tester for pair off.” Colburn got a good start in race A BANGER team event tees an afternoon of attri- ple of good wins behind the SUSSEX duo Matt Dix and The Isle of Man TT races are two and it became a two-horse which promises thrills and tion. leader Micky D’Souza. Shaun Parker are currently held on roads which have race for the victory with Mills, Completing the meeting is competing in the Isle of been shut to the public, who managed to stay in front spills will headline the The Seasiders have put up the Rookie Roads with Man TT races. with more than 100 miles until the end. Spring Bank Holiday Mon- three strong teams including day meeting at Arlington regular Arlington drivers plenty of local interest The pair, who form Team completed at average speeds Colburn said: “It’s a shame I Stadium. Rob Haines, right, Harry including Perry Dixie Racing, travelled to of 166mph. couldn’t make a move on Mills ‘Micro Madness’ is one of Balchin, MarK Pope and Dar- Osborne- the Isle of Man on Dix and Parker have been but I can’t complain with the car Spedeworth’s speciality ren Terry. Also on the bill are Brown, Lee Wednesday and will be there competing together since and how the weekend went. events where specific limita- the StocK Rods who return to Evans and until June 8. 2008, claiming top 20 “The first six rounds have all tions are set on the choice of Arlington for the Adrian Till- Matthew Driver Dix, 42, from finishes in the British been a blur and I have far cars available to the drivers. man Trophy, which will dou- Farren. Rac- Uckfield, and passenger Championship and finishing exceeded my expectations for the For this meeting, drivers ble up as round seven of this ing starts at Parker, from Seaford, are as high as ninth in the Isle year already.” are only permitted cars with year’s Polleysport/Yoko- 2pm and turn- also competing in this year’s of Man TT. The pair are stiles open at looking for further support The championship now heads to a maximum engine size of hama Tyres Series. British Formula Two 12.30pm. for the season. Go go Donington Park next weekend. 1400cc. While local favourite Tris- Sidecar [email protected] for Kingsley Newman Eighteen four-man teams tan Jackson is in sixth place Championship. are booked in, which guaran- in the series, he is only a cou- more information. l l l WHAT DO YOU THINK? Let us know at www.theargus.co.uk/opinion.