UK: Oulton Park qualifying notes

Rookie Ericsson claims double pole in Cheshire.

Oulton Park, 23 June, 2007. Marcus Ericsson (Fortec Motorsport) put himself in the perfect position to defend his Championship lead this weekend, placing his car on pole for Rounds 9 & 10 of the Formula BMW UK Championship 2007.

In such a competitive year of racing, the Championship has seen seven different polesitters, but Championship leader and Rookie Ericsson is beginning to emerge from the pack.

Ericsson commented, "This is my favourite track already as it's good fun to drive and I'm also very quick round here! I lost my concentration at Croft last race and Kral took his chance to take the lead from me on the last lap. I really want to show everyone I can win now and that I don't just finish second."

Top race-winner Josef Kral (Double R Racing) will start alongside him for Round 9 hoping to continue closing the Championship gap to the Swede, while Henry Surtees (Carlin Motorsport) starts third, still chasing his maiden victory.

Fortec Motorsport claimed the top three spots for Round 10 with Henry Arundel lining up along side Ericsson on the front row and Adrian Quaife- Hobbs in third. The trio posted their quickest times half way through the 20 minute session before the rain started and no one was able to better them as the track dried.

"Ericsson is very quick but as I didn't get a dry lap with the best set up in the second qualifying I'm happy with where I am," Kral commented. "I'm hoping the races will go the same as Croft and I can pass Ericsson again for another victory - hopefully he'll still have that in his mind!"

Ericsson is now perfectly placed to hold on to his Championship position but just needs to keep a steady head to make up for losing out on victory to Kral at the last corner, last time out. He will get the chance to add another win to his tally when the battle resumes and the duo take to the front row for Round 9, later today.

-credit: bmw.uk