28 June 2009

Suspension failure spoils Zamparelli’s race at Snetterton

A suspension failure during round two of the BARC Renault Championship ended BRDC Rising Star Dino Zamparelli’s challenge to claim a podium.

Starting from 4th on the grid, Zamparelli lost a position at the start after being out dragged on the longest straight in Britain. Holding station in 5th place, Zamparelli was preparing for a climb up the order when a bolt from his suspension broke and dislodged itself from the wheel. Zamparelli had to slow down in order to bring the car home. He did so eventually in 15th place, albeit 50 seconds down on the leader.

“Obviously I am annoyed that we have lost a potential good result here today, but these things unfortunately do happen in racing. It’s unlucky but the pace on the straight line wasn’t quite there so we need to do some more work, before the next race.”

In round three at Snetterton, Zamparelli got held up by another competitor who was covering every corner to stay in front in 5th. The inexperience of first year single-seater driver Dino Zamparelli showed, as it took him some time to get past. Once in front, Zamparelli set about catching the leaders who were seconds ahead of the 16 year old Bristolian.  Zamparelli quickly pulled away from the chasing pack and got caught up in the battle for 3rd. However, with only a few laps remaining, it was to be too little too late. Zamparelli crossed the line in 5th place and set the second quickest lap time towards the end of the race, only 3 tenths off the quickest.

“This has been an incredibly frustrating weekend for us. We were aiming for a double win and we ended up with a 5th and a 15th. Race One was just unlucky and Race Two was incredibly annoying. I didn’t have the experience to confidently send the car up the inside without ending my race early. Looking back on it, I now know where I could have been more forceful and braver to claim the position earlier.”

“It’s been a character-building weekend for me and I’ve learnt a great deal. The pace was never quite there throughout qualifying and the races. A big thank you to Reon Motorsport for all their hard work throughout the weekend and to all my sponsors.”

“I’m looking forward to the next two rounds at Croft where we will hopefully be back on the pace.”

Rounds 4 & 5 of the Formula Renault BARC championship will take place at Croft, on the 12th July 2009.