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 A
series win had been on the cards for just about the whole season,
but was made official today as Nic Jordan took his Ssangyong Luxury
vehicles Dallara F398 to championship glory in the Australian Formula
3 Yokohama Trophy Class at Mallala Raceway this weekend.
Jordan’s
result capped off an action packed weekend for the team, after two
drama filled races produced varied results for BRM’s championship
class runners Karl Reindler and Tim Slade.
Jordan’s
emphatic class victory came after an incredible weekend, where he
proved that he could compete right with the best in Australian F3
racing, starting with his brilliant third outright on the grid for
race one, a personal best for the 16 year old Kiwi.
But if Qualifying was good, race day was better for the driver who
has dominated the Trophy class since his debut back in April at
Sydney's Oran Park Raceway. A fourth in race one was an impressive
start, as Jordan raced with the leaders for the entire race, and
lapped a second faster than the Mallala lap record.
Race two was even better, Jordan able to benefit from a coming together
by the race leaders to finish an astounding second place –
his best ever result in F3 racing, and the best ever outright position
by a Trophy class competitor.
The
quiet Kiwi was delighted with the results. “That was an awesome
race to drive in (Race two).” Said Jordan. “I was really
happy that I could run with Chris (Gilmour). He got away at the
start, but I was able to keep up with him as the race progressed.”
“I
am really happy with second overall in the race two.. That’s
awesome!”
Team
BRM’s two championship class contenders had an indifferent
weekend, with Karl Reindler (Winston Mining / National Tyres / AON
Insurance / UTS Geophysics Dallara F301) scoring valuable points
with a third in race one, despite loosing a gear mid way through
the race.
The
series leader heading into the Mallala round, Reindler started from
pole, but was slowed by the gearbox dramas causing him to loose
the second place he held to Chris Gilmour on lap 12. Despite the
dramas, Reindler drove around the problem in the last few laps of
the race to set a blistering 1m04.7866 – a new lap record by
almost two seconds.
“We
lost fourth gear in the first race, which was really disappointing,”
Said Reindler. “I managed to drive around it in the end, but
I am keen to get it fixed and bounce back in the second race.”
He said.
And
Reindler was looking to do just that in race two, before running
off the road at the Turn 5 hairpin whilst lying in second position
behind teammate Slade, whom also spent some time off the course
at the same time.
The
off relegated the 19-year-old West Australian to 7th outright which,
despite gaining a point for the fastest lap of the race, meant that
he lost the series lead he had gained at the Wakefield round of
the series last month.
Making
his F3 race debut for Team BRM at Mallala was 18-year-old South
Australian Tim Slade, who lined up in the team’s second Dallara
F301 Speiss Opel.
After
taking front row spots for both of today’s races, Slade made
brilliant starts in both occasions to jump in front of the field
in both races, eventually taking a commanding flag to flag victory
in race one after Reindler dropped back with his gearbox problems.
“I’m
really happy,” Said Slade. “We got off the line pretty
well and lead into turn one. After that we were able to lead the
way home and take a victory.” He said.
Race
two started just as the first did, with Reindler and Slade going
at it in front of the pack before both running off into the turn
5 sand after going too deep into the hairpin under brakes. The young
South Australian recovered to 6th position after yet another strong
overall performance.
“I
am really disappointed with the end of the weekend,” Said Slade.
“We had a successful weekend until that last race. The team
has been really good, and I am happy with the speed I have got in
the car.”
Team
Owner Bronte Rundle had mixed emotions after the weekend’s
racing had concluded. “The entire team and I are extremely
proud of what Nic has been able to achieve by Winning the Trophy
Class, not to mention placing in second outright in today’s
second race.” Said Rundle.
“We
are disappointed in the racing incident that occurred in race two
today that put both of our drivers out of contention for the race
win, and will now look to Indy for some better results.”
So
with one championship in the Bag, Team BRMs full attention will
now turn to Karl Reindler and the quest for the outright series,
which stages its final round on the concrete canyon on the Surfers
Streets in Queensland, where the Australian F3 series runs as part
of the Lexmark Indy 300 program.
Reindler
now sits just 8 points behind series leader Chris Gilmour going
into the final round, where it will be winner takes all.
Race
Results – Race 1 (16 Laps)
1. Tim Slade
2. Chris Gilmour
3. Karl Reindler
4. Nic Jordan
Race
Results – Race 2 (16 Laps)
1. Chris Gilmour
2. Nic Jordan
6. Tim Slade
7. Karl Reindler
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