Formula BMW

UK: Donington Park qualifying report

Abay and Ericsson top the times. Donington Park, 14 July, 2007. Sam Abay (Team Loctite) became the eighth new pole-sitter of the year for Round 11 of the Formula BMW UK Championship 2007, with Championship leader Marcus Ericsson ...

Edited: Jul 15, 2007, 4:09 AM

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Abay and Ericsson top the times.

Donington Park, 14 July, 2007. Sam Abay (Team Loctite) became the eighth new pole-sitter of the year for Round 11 of the Formula BMW UK Championship 2007, with Championship leader Marcus Ericsson (Fortec Motorsport) claiming the top spot for Round 12.

A day packed full of excitement saw two qualifying sessions go down to the wire with numerous names topping the leader board throughout.

Australia's Abay made a big improvement to his season's form, claiming two front row starts for tomorrow's races.

"It's a good feeling to be on pole because it's taken a while to get here." Abay smiled. "I pushed really hard in the second session and thought I'd done enough to get a second pole, but Ericsson got ahead of me right at the end. I'll just have to get him back tomorrow! It's only qualifying, though, and there are many more points to be won in the races. I really like this track; it's smooth, fast and technical which is similar to the tracks I'm used to, you have to really attack the circuit!"

Swedish Rookie, Ericsson was disappointed with fifth spot for Round 11 but claimed pole for Round 12 with only 30 seconds left on the clock. "I'm struggling a bit as I've hardly had any dry track time here. I'm still learning all the lines and braking points while trying to go as fast as possible, which results in me overdriving. On my last lap in second qualifying I really tried to concentrate and I took the pole. Now I just need to bring the car across the line in Round 11 and try to win Round 12. That should hopefully be enough to maintain my championship lead this weekend."

Henry Arundel (Fortec Motorsport) and Henry Surtees (Carlin Motorsport) will start second and third on the grid behind Abay for Round 11, both still trying to make vital inroads in Ericsson's championship lead.

For Round 12, Jordan Williams (Team Loctite) will start third, the best grid slot the 16-year-old has had this season, after holding pole position for part of the session. "I pushed really hard but I think I hit my limit! It's great for the team though as we are up the front for both races!" said a delighted Williams.

With the top twelve drivers for each race within a second of each other, some new faces challenging at the front, and the possibility of rain tomorrow, Rounds 11 and 12 of the Formula BMW UK Championship look set to throw up yet more surprises.

-credit: bmw.uk

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