Silverstone: Hitech Racing preview

HITECH RETURNS TO HOME EVENT

After two races on European circuits, Hitech Racing looks forward to a return to home soil, when it competes in the Unipart F3/GT Festival, rounds 15 and 16 of the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series at Silverstone this weekend (August 11/12).

The current leaders of the series head into its home event looking for a return to the top step of the podium in a bid to extend its 60 point lead secured with seven victories so far. But with still eight rounds remaining, and a maximum of 168 points on offer, it's far too early to contemplate championship titles.

Up to the last rounds at Spa two weeks ago, the team with Marko Asmer had wracked up wins at every track before a major crash in free practice severely damaged his car and ended his impressive run. Asmer though, bounced back to form in the race, scything his way through the field from 30th on the grid to sixth at the flag to show he's still very much a man on-form.

With that performance behind him the Estonian, who recently celebrated his 23rd birthday, heads to Silverstone's International 2.249 mile circuit determined to take double victory as the season nears the final quarter.

For the young Grubmuller, this season has been very much a learning year as he gets to grip with the top circuits in the UK and abroad whilst learning the intricacies of the Dallara 307 Mercedes HWA. Impressive race performances by the 18 year-old Austrian have not produced the results he deserves, but his enthusiasm has not waned and he now bids for a strong finish for the team, based just down the road from the home of the British Grand Prix.

Team Principal David Hayle is determined too, for a victory in front of the home crowd, as he looks to secure Hitech's first British F3 crown: "This is the most important event of the year for us, it's our home race, and we come here looking to get the best possible results. But then after the season we've had we always expect that now, we have set ourselves very high standards, where anything les than victory is not enough. Anything less than two wins and we won't be happy come Sunday evening."

The event kicks off with testing on Friday prior to the two 30 minute official qualifying sessions on Saturday at 11.25 and 14.55. The two 20-lap races are scheduled to start at 10.25 and 15.30 on Sunday.

-credit: hitechracing.net