11 October 2009

Zamparelli ends year on a high with third win of 2009

Dino Zamparelli had to enter the last weekend of the season with track knowledge only gained as a Junior Ginetta, as there was to be no testing in the Renault prior to the weekend. However, unfazed, Zamparelli qualified his Reon/Mtech on the front row of the grid for both races in 2nd position.

Reflecting on his qualifying performance, Zamparelli said “Qualifying went well. We only completed 8 laps to try and preserve the tyres for the race. Mulholland did double the amount of laps, so for me to learn the circuit in the Renault and squeeze a really quick lap in around lap four or five, was tough!”

Prior to the start of round 12, the skies opened to make the already demanding 2.35 mile Hampshire speed-bowl even more of a challenge for the field. Unfortunately for Dino, the first couple of laps had to be cautious to stay on track. He therefore lost three positions, slipping down to 4th from 2nd on the grid. However, Zamparelli fought hard up to 3rd and was close to moving further up the grid but ran out of laps.

“I had absolutely no knowledge of this track in the wet, so the first two laps were taken with caution. Once I realised that the track was incredibly grippy, even in the wet, I caught on. However, by that time I’d lost a few positions. So I had to learn fast and then make up the ground and the positions in the remaining laps.”

For the final round of the year, Zamparelli was in confident mood. After finishing 3rd in the previous race, Zamparelli knew it was all to play for to finish runner-up in the Championship. Dino made a cracking start, and jumped immediately into the lead. Into lap two, Zamparelli’s lead was already an impressive 1.7 seconds and he increased his advantage to an incredible 9.3 seconds by the end of lap six as his pursuers appeared to have no answer to his dominance.

From lap seven onwards, Zamparelli fought hard to get past backmarkers and consequently his lead was slashed by several seconds as the backmarkers found it hard to see the fast emerging Zamparelli.

Zamparelli crossed the line in 1st position, elated to have won the last race of the year. Reflecting on his victory and the campaign as a whole, Zamparelli said: “Wow that was fantastic! The first few laps were hectic. I was really pushing as hard as possible and the conditions were incredibly difficult in the wet. I couldn’t see anything in my mirrors so I didn’t know who or where my competitors were.

“To get a win at the final race in BARC is a nice way to end things really. It’s been a tough year but I have learnt a tremendous amount and to finish 3rd overall is a nice feat as well.

“I’ve learnt so much this season and to end the year with a win is perfect. Thanks to all the guys at MTECH who have done an amazing job all year, it’s great to have had so much success in my debut season. Hopefully I’ll be able to step-up to Formula Renault UK next year, but we need to work very hard on the sponsorship side.”