Formula BMW

NA: Lime Rock Friday qualifying summary

Following the cancellation of Round 7 because of an existing track ordinance that does not allow racing on Fridays, the Formula BMW Americas drivers entered at Lime Rock Park refocused for the usual two-race weekend. Ricardo ...

Edited: Jul 12, 2008, 1:02 AM

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Following the cancellation of Round 7 because of an existing track ordinance that does not allow racing on Fridays, the Formula BMW Americas drivers entered at Lime Rock Park refocused for the usual two-race weekend. Ricardo Favoretto (Eurointernational) scored the pole for Round 8, the third pole of the year for the 19-year old Brazilian. In Round 9 qualifying, overall points leader Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational) recorded his fourth pole of the season.

Round 8:

Formula BMW Junior driver Ricardo Favoretto (Eurointernational), of Sao Paulo, Brazil, scored the Round 8 pole position in today's 20-minute qualifying session. The pole was Favoretto's third of the season. His lap of 58.670 seconds around the newly paved and reconfigured 2.51-mile, 10-turn circuit was just .077 seconds faster than the lap of Daniel Juncadella (Euro Junior Team). Juncadella, a Formula BMW Europe driver from Barcelona, Spain, also joined Formula BMW Americas in Montreal for Rounds 3 and 4. Overall points leader Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational) qualified third with a lap of 58.845 seconds.

Maxime Pelletier (Apex-HBR Racing Team) and Rookie points leader Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica) rounded out the top-five qualifiers.

The first 14 minutes of the 20 minute qualifying session had Rossi at the top of the charts, but at the 15th minute Juncadella moved to the point as the young drivers became more in tune with the feel of the new Lime Rock Park circuit. In the last two minutes of the session Favoretto found the sweet spot and put together two consecutive laps of 58.878 and 58.670 seconds to take the pole and set the qualifying record.

Favoretto said, "Since this morning's practice I was really comfortable with the car. I really like this track. In the beginning of the qualifying I wasn't able to put together a good lap because of traffic. I went off in turn one a little, but cooled myself down for one or two laps. I tried as hard as I could for last five laps and put down a good time. I am really happy because this is first time my father has seen me race with Formula BMW. It makes the pole even sweeter."

Juncadella said, "Being second is not bad, but of course everyone wants pole. The first row is a good place to start because it will be difficult to pass. The new asphalt looks good, but the chicanes are strange with curbs that move the whole car if hit."

Rossi said, "The car was good and I led the session for 15 minutes. I couldn't better my pace and had to settle for third. Hopefully in the second qualifying session we can get a little bit more speed and get pole!"

Round 9:

Following his third-place qualifying effort in Round 8, 16-year old Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational) did find something extra this afternoon and scored the pole for Round 9. His lap of 58.162 seconds established a new qualifying record and gave the overall points leader his fourth pole of the season. Round 8 polesittter and Eurointernational teammate Ricardo Favoretto qualified second with a lap of 58.499 seconds. Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica), the fifth-place qualifier in Round 8, moved up to third in Round 9.

Daniel Juncadella (Euro Junior Team) qualified fourth and Mikael Grenier (Apex- HBR Racing Team) equaled his career-best effort, qualifying fifth.

A little farther back on the grid, Jorge Goncalvez (Apex-HBR Racing Team), of Los Teques, Venezuela, qualified seventh for his best-ever Formula BMW Americas qualifying effort.

Rossi said, "The car was absolutely perfect. Right from the first lap I knew that it was going to be a good session. For Round 9, we're looking really good."

Favoretto said, "The car was as good as in the first qualifying round, but I think I was overdriving a bit and it caused me to make a couple of mistakes. I was surprised my last lap went so well. I am happy with P2. I have a chance to win the race and that's what I'm going to fight for tomorrow."

Raimondo said, "Going into the session my car wouldn't start. Three laps in, I set a fast lap, but the track started to get dirty. Luckily I stayed out of traffic and out of the dirt. I feel the car will be good for tomorrow and I look forward to a good race."

Round 8 is scheduled to start at 9:10 a.m. and Round 9 at 12:20 p.m.

-credit: bmw.usa

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