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BFF: Joe D'Agostino Silverstone race notes
D'Agostino scores a fantastic podium and debut win on Silverstone Grand Prix circuit Northamptonshire, England -- American Joe D'Agostino and Team JLR had a dominant performance this weekend as the UK Formula Ford Championship made a stop at ...
Edited: Jul 2, 2009, 5:53 PM
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D'Agostino scores a fantastic podium and debut win on Silverstone Grand Prix circuit
Northamptonshire, England -- American Joe D'Agostino and Team JLR had a dominant performance this weekend as the UK Formula Ford Championship made a stop at the famed 3.194 mile Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit for the 13th and 14th rounds of the championship.
The young American had been very quick throughout all of the testing and practice sessions and looked strong going into the weekend. In Qualifying D'Agostino put in his best effort to date and qualified in second position for both races, missing pole position by only 0.063 of a second.
In Race 1 D'Agostino made a good start but was forced to tuck in behind pole-sitter Valle Makela as everyone made their way to Copse corner for the first time. A bunch of quick laps meant that Makela and D'Agostino gapped the rest of the field significantly. Although in the lead Makela was never allowed to rest as D'Agostino kept the pressure on at all times. However, in the middle stages of the race D'Agostino eased off to conserve his tires in hopes that it would give him an edge in the second race over Makela. This prediction shown true even before the first race finished as Makela began to struggle on degrading tires. D'Agostino immediately closed the gap but finished a solid 2nd Place overall, winning the Scholarship Class and setting a new Silverstone GP Formula Ford Lap Record in the process.
On to Race 2 and this time D'Agostino was determined to get the better of Makela. After a great start D'Agostino was along side of Makela, however the pole-sitter Makela tried to squeeze down on the young-American. Not to be intimidated, D'Agostino never lifted and the two made contact sending Makela's car into the pit wall and out of the race, creating chaos for those behind. Everyone else, including D'Agostino, escaped unscathed and a red flag to clear the damaged car of Makela meant that D'Agostino got a second chance to start back up front. This time at the restart D'Agostino took off and never once looked back with the gap after the first lap being 2 seconds. D'Agostino continued to gap the field every lap and took a lights-to-flag debut victory with the winning margin being just under 5 seconds. D'Agostino again won the Scholarship Class setting the fastest race lap in class and second fastest race lap overall.
"I am thrilled with this win and how this weekend has gone. Team JLR has given me a great car all year long and it was nice to finally repay them with a victory. I knew the victory was there but didn't know when it was to come. Most important of all is that I have regained the lead in the scholarship class which was my main goal for this weekend. To come away with an overall race win, a lap record, and a sweep of the Scholarship points with two victories, two pole positions, and two fastest race laps is just fantastic. I am so pleased for myself and for everyone that has supported and believed in me all along, especially my family back home. I am looking forward to Thruxton and hope to continue the good results."
D'Agostino remains in 5th position in the overall Championship Class, closing the gap considerably to those in front and has regained the lead in the Scholarship Class. The 15th and 16th Rounds of the UK Formula Ford Championship will be held on the Thruxton circuit 29th-30th August.
D'Agostino would like to thank Team JLR and all of his sponsors: Arai Helmets, Skip Barber Racing School, Sparco, The Mayes Group, and all of his personal sponsors.
-www.joedagostino.com
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