News
29.07.07
Ollie Hancock shines in World Sportscar Masters
Driving a 1971 Lola T212, nineteen-year old Ollie Hancock led the one and a half hour World Sportscar Masters race on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit last weekend, setting the fastest lap of the race and putting the car in strong contention for a win until a lengthy pit stop scuppered hopes of victory.
Fresh from taking two pole positions and his first win in the BARC Formula Renault championship a week earlier, Hancock qualified third and led the race by the first corner. In heavy rain the Hampshire-based driver pulled away from the chasing pack and developed a lead of well over one minute as he opted to stay on dry tyres as others pitted for wets.
At the end of his hour-long stint, Ollie handed over to father Anthony, changing to wets as conditions worsened. A slow stop cost the pair any chance of victory however, although the team recovered from 14th to bring the car home 10th. Consolation for Ollie on missing out on the win came with the races fastest lap, a 2:07.228 set on the very first lap.
Ollie Hancock said: "Its the first time I have ever driven something of that power and I absolutely loved it. We lost several minutes in the pits changing tyres because the new wheels were tight, but really we never expected to be leading at that stage. Ive really enjoyed driving this car and I must say a big thanks to the team and everyone involved with the Masters Racing Series for organising such a brilliant event."
Christopher Tate, the Series Director of championship organisers Masters Racing Series said: "Everyone in the series was really impressed that, just two weeks after a very quick performance in a little Lotus 23 on the streets of Porto, Ollie jumped into a very different racing car in the FVC powered Lola T212, put it at the front end of the grid and then led the race in astonishing fashion in truly terrible conditions."
Ollie will next be in action when he returns to single-seater racing on 11-12 August as the Formula Renault BARC championship visits Snetterton.