UK: Series Snetterton test summary

TINCKNELL TOPS THE TIMESHEETS AT SUNNY SNETTERTON

CRS Racing's Harry Tincknell (Exeter) topped the timesheets during the final in-season test session of the 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship at Norfolk's Snetterton circuit on Monday, 24th May.

The 18-year-old, who's currently lying third in the drivers' standings, posted a best time of 1min 03.650s (110.40mph average) around the sun-soaked 1.9520-mile circuit shaving an impressive 1.391s off the current lap record.

A mere 0.073s denied Manor Competition's Lewis Williamosn (Golspie, Scotland) from clinching the top spot with the 20-year-old finishing second fastest while Fortec Motorsport's Tom Blomqvist (Saffron Walden) once again showed his talents to end the day third quickest.

The day's first session saw 16-year-old Blomqvist, son of rally legend Stig, lead the way lapping in the low 1min 04s -- already inside the lap record and last year's pole time. Tincknell was just a fraction behind to go second quickest while it was David McDonald (Ewell) who went third fastest running once again with Fortec Motorsport.

Atech GP's Tama's Pa'l Kiss couldn't quite replicate the speed shown in the previous two tests to go fourth quickest for the session with Team Firstair's Richard Singleton (Llanfairfechan) looking strong to round off the top five.

With the lunch break over, the afternoon session saw the drivers once again take to the track in hot, sunny conditions. As the session went on Tincknell continued to fire in quick laps and using new tyres he waited for the track to cool before setting the fastest time of the day on his 36th lap.

Williamson, who had been off the pace slightly in the morning session, came good to post the second quickest time followed by Blomqvist and Pa'l Kiss. The fifth place spot went to CRS Racing's Victor Corrêa (Fritwell, Oxfordshire) to give the Brazilian his best test result so far this season.

The session also saw strong times from McDonald and Singleton as well as Filipino driver Marlon Stockinger running with Atech GP and Fortec Motorsport's Ollie Millroy (Claygate). Meanwhile, title-hopeful Will Stevens (Oxshott) racing with Manor Competition ended the day 13th fastest while 2009 Clio Cup racer Daniel Lloyd (Huddersfield) finished his debut test 17th overall running with Ian Barnwell's Team Firstair.

The day also saw cars from the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship join the Formula Renault UK competitors running without restrictors. Fortec Motorsport's Mitchell Hale (Bristol) led the way in the morning session with team-mate Joseph Reilly (London) quickest in the afternoon and for the day with a best time of 1min 06.890s (105.05mph average).

Commenting on his performance Tincknell said: "We've been trying lots of different set-ups with the car in previous tests but think we've finally found a good one as we've been quick all day. The conditions were really hot out there -- the hottest they've ever been in the new car -- so we had to let the track cool before putting on new tyres for the final quick stint. The team have worked really hard recently but we believe there's still more to come from the car."

Rounds seven and eight of the 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship take place at Oulton Park on 5th/6th June.

-source: renaultsport.co.uk