Kaiser takes on Vergne!

Radical UK Cup and SPEED raced at Silverstone Arena circuit at the LMS weekend 10-12th of September and the focus from all of us was to see if Ross Kaiser and Terrence Woodward in the 360 Racing run Radical SR8 could catch up with Sunoco Daytona Points leader Jean-Eric Vergne. Before the weekend Ross was on 101 average points per race and Jean-Eric on 105.83.

Kaiser's only chance of challenging for the Sunoco Daytona Challenge was to score maximum points in both races taking pole position, fastest laps and race wins. However, it could have gone so wrong as the car overheated on the grid (due to a delayed start) and did not want to restart. Starting from the pitlane Ross knew that only a win would do so he knew that he had drive like never before.

Slicing through the 49 car strong Radical field, like butter in a frying pan, Ross took the SR8 up to second overall and first in class, scoring overall fastest lap in doing so. Terrence drove brilliantly and soon passed last year's Sunoco Daytona Challenge winner Derek Johnston. With only a couple of corners to go a back marker punted Woodward of the track and damaged Terrance rear wheel which resulted in a tyre explosion when passing the chequered flag (see picture left)!!! Amazingly they still won the race!

Phew - what a way to finish!

Second race was more straight forward with Terrence starting and Ross taking over. A brilliant drive again resulted in another overall fastest lap and an overall race win. Ross is now on 107.50 average points per race putting enormous pressure on British F3 Champ Jean-Eric Vergne on his last British F3 race at Brands 25-26th of September.

But it was not all about Ross Kaiser this weekend. Fast SPEED racers Jody Firth raced his Ligier CN car to two race wins in two 90 minutes intensive races at Silverstone. Although Jody is stuck on 77.29 average points per race we should applaud his efforts to an excellent average score per race especially as he only got half points at a poorly attended Oulton Park. Jody will end up in a fine third place in the Sunoco Daytona Challenge unless of course Matt Griffin in British GT scores maximum points for the rest of the season.

The Sunoco Daytona Challenge is now turning its attention to Jean-Eric Vergne and the British F3 finale at Brands Hatch. Jean-Eric has already won the British F3 title in style but is focusing on setting new records in race wins and of course to win the Sunoco Daytona Challenge.

To beat Ross Kaiser Jean-Eric has to:

1. Win both races,set two poles and one fastest lap = 108.25 pts
2. Win both races, set one pole and two fastest laps = 108.25 pts
3. Win one race, come second in one race but set two poles and two fastest laps = 108.0 pts

Unachievable - normally yes but anything less would be below expectations for super talented Jean-Eric