BFF: Knockhill qualifying notes

Donnelly on Formula Ford pole for opening race in Scotland

Charlie Donnelly took pole position for round five of the UK Formula Ford Championship at Knockhill this afternoon (May 15). Indian racer Suk Sandher was just 25-thousands of a second away to taker second, while the Irishman spun into the gravel in the closing stages of the session.

"I put myself under a little bit of pressure as I set my fastest lap early on," explained Donnelly. "I had to wait for the next 20 minutes to see if anyone would go faster. I over-did it at the chicane with a few minutes left to go as I was trying a little bit too hard. The car felt good though and I am happy with it so hopefully we can capitalise on it," he added.

Sandher set his time later in the session and after Donnelly had bought out the red flags for his incident at the chicane decided that it was not worth venturing out again, staying in the pit-lane.

Daniel Clarke was less than a tenth of a second behind Sandher for third place. Previous round winner Valle Makela from Finland could only manage fourth quickest time. He held second spot in the early stages of the session but was unable to respond in the closing minutes.

Another driver who slipped down the order was Sebastian Hohenthal. The Swedish racer ended up fifth after trading pole position with American Joe D'Agostino -- who ended up sixth - in the opening laps of the session.

The first of two races is scheduled to get underway at 11:50 tomorrow morning (May 16).

UK Formula Ford Championship - Round Five

Qualifying times:
1 Charlie Donnelly Mygale SJ04 53.140s
2 Suk Sandher Van Diemen RF03 53.165s
3 Daniel Clarke Van Diemen RF04 53.215s
4 Valle Makela Van Diemen RF03 53.302s
5 Sebastian Hohenthal Van Diemen RF03 53.330s
6 Joe D'Agostino Van Diemen RF03 53.365s

The grid for race two is set from the second fastest time from the drivers. Daniel Clarke will start from pole position, with Donnelly in second place. Sandher will start third with Makela once again in fourth place. Joe D'Agostino managed to set a faster time than Hohenthal to start fifth.

UK Formula Ford Championship -- Round Six

Grid
1 Daniel Clarke
2 Charlie Donnelly
3 Suk Sandher
4 Valle Makela
5 Joe D'Agostino
6 Sebastian Hohenthal

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