News
12.08.07
Mixed weekend for Ollie Hancock at Snetterton
19-year old Ollie Hancock had mixed fortunes in the Formula Renault BARC championship at Snetterton this weekend, setting fastest lap and taking a podium in race one, but finishing 14th in race two after a charge through the field was halted by a tangle at the Esses.
Race One
Starting from sixth on the grid Hancock made up two positions in the first few corners to run fourth. Following two earlier red flags, the race distance was shortened to just five laps, with the top four running nose to tail throughout. On the last lap leaders David McDonald and Dean Stoneman ran side-by-side around Coram and as McDonald ran wide, Hancock nipped through to take third place and also secured a bonus point for fastest lap.
Race Two
Having qualified ninth, Ollie made a good start and was seventh by the end of the first lap. A red flag forced another re-start, with Hancock climbing to fifth away from the grid. Unfortunately, whilst challenging Craig Coupland around the outside of the Esses, the two cars made contact forcing Hancock to spin. Having rejoined in 20th, the Hampshire-based youngster fought his way back to finish 14th at the chequered flag.
Hancock said: “I can’t say I’m too happy, but the pace is definitely there. I was pleased with fastest lap and third in race one and, in race two, I’d moved up from ninth to fifth and looked on course for another podium until the collision at the Esses. However, we’re still third in the championship and now we need to work hard before the next round at Brands Hatch to close the gap to the guys ahead of us.”