FPAUDI: Bedford test notes 2007-03-29

FRACTIONS SEPARATE FORMULA PALMER AUDI CONTENDERS
Clarke tops Bedford test ahead of 2007 opener

Jack Clarke threw the gauntlet down to his Formula Palmer Audi rivals at Bedford Autodrome yesterday (Wednesday) as he set the fastest time of the official pre-season test, where 20 of this year's 22 competitors were in action.

The 19-year-old former Formula BMW racer set a blistering lap of 1 minute 3.79 seconds around Bedford's West circuit. "Today went really well, and it's a fantastic confidence-booster ahead of the first round," said Clarke.

Clarke headed an extremely close field, with the top five drivers being separated by less than two-tenths of a second. FPA returnee Chris Bell impressed by setting the second-fastest time, with Dominik Jackson, Aaron Steele and Matthew Hamilton also breaching the 1m04s barrier. Jackson was happy to have established himself among the front-runners just 10 days ahead of the first round. "It's been a great test for me and I'm really glad to be completely comfortable and confident in the car for the first race."

Luciano Bacheta, Tom Bradshaw and Stefan Wilson followed, with Jolyon Palmer setting an impressive time to take ninth spot ahead of his single-seater debut. Behind Palmer, car racing rookie Chris Chubb rounded out the top 10.

The FPA season begins on Easter Saturday at Silverstone before heading for the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, where FPA will support the A1GP World Cup Of Motorsport final from 27-29 April.

<pre> Formula Palmer Audi Pre-Season Test - Leading Times

1.  Jack Clarke         1m03.79s
2.  Chris Bell          1m03.87s
3.  Dominik Jackson     1m03.89s
4.  Aaron Steele        1m03.91s
5.  Matthew Hamilton    1m03.98s
6.  Luciano Bacheta     1m04.22s
7.  Tom Bradshaw        1m04.77s
8.  Stefan Wilson       1m04.78s
9.  Jolyon Palmer       1m05.00s
10. Chris Chubb         1m05.24

-credit: fpa