15-06-2009
Tincknell Still Leading At The Mid-Point

Harry Tincknell continues to lead the Formula Renault UK Championship Graduate Cup, following the fifth weekend of the season at Croft, North Yorkshire on 13-14 June.

Harry was unable to qualify higher than 14th for race one, due to not having balance on the car to suit the conditions.
 
However, the first race saw Harry make a clean, rapid start, and the Exeter racer immediately gained two places from his starting position. Harry then proceeded to close up on the group of drivers ahead, closing a five-second gap during the race. Harry pursued Frederik Blomstedt all the way to the line for eleventh.

In race two, Harry started from tenth, and continued his run of great starts. Tincknell made a bid for the inside line into the first corner, but the ‘funnelling’ effect of the tight track meant he was unable to capitalise on the move. Passing James Calado’s car, Harry continued to chase down Josh Scott, to finish ninth overall and maintain his lead of the Graduate Cup by 22 points.

“Croft is a narrow circuit that’s notoriously difficult to overtake on, so after my fast getaway in race one, I got caught in traffic and just couldn’t find a way past Blomstedt,” said Tincknell. “The track warmed up for the second race, and gained grip from the rubber left from the British Touring Car Championship races this weekend.

“It’s unfortunate that I couldn’t make more of a pass on the first lap, but the racing this weekend was really close, and I had to keep an eye on my mirrors to defend my position throughout. However, I’m still leading the Graduate Cup at the season mid-point, which is what I set out to achieve this year.”

Whilst the Formula Renault UK Championship takes a three-week break before the next round at Silverstone on 5 July, Harry will be away competing in Europe. Next weekend, Tincknell is taking on the continent’s best Formula Renault drivers in the Formula Renault Northern European Cup, held at Oschersleben, Germany.

“Oschersleben is a track I’ve not visited before, and there’s going to be a lot of experienced Formula Renault drivers competing, so it’s a great chance to gain experience racing abroad,” added Tincknell.