METCALFE HOPING FOR RACEDAY IMPROVEMENTS AT THRUXTON

Formula Renault UK race-winner Jeremy Metcalfe is hoping for improved pace during tomorrow’s final two races of the 2007 season at Thruxton, the 19-year-old AKA Cobra driver lining up on the fifth row of the grid for both 16-lap encounters at his home venue.

During the two 20-minute qualifying periods earlier today, Jeremy produced the ninth quickest time in both sessions – a best lap of 1m 10.689 seconds (119.98mph) coming in round 19 qualifying and a quickest run of 1m 11.157 seconds (119.19mph) in the round 20 session.

The BRDC Rising Star, who lives in the nearby Hampshire town of Fleet, is in a very close battle over fifth position in the Formula Renault UK Championship standings so a brace of strong results from Sunday’s races will be crucial.

“We just didn’t have good enough pace today”, said Jeremy, “I don’t think the car would have gone any faster, I felt I was on the limit of what we could achieve. We didn’t lose any ground in the second session but we didn’t gain any either. Hopefully the team will be able to make some changes which will give us a better chance in the races tomorrow.

“I really want to end the season with a flourish and although it’s going to be a very tall order to achieve good results, I’ll be giving my all to try and maintain fifth place in the championships standings. I’m a racer at heart though so I’m confident we should be able to come through and challenge for the top six at least.”

With two race victories and three podiums to his credit this season, one of the rostrums coming at Thruxton earlier in the year during round six, Jeremy would dearly love to sign-off his Formula Renault UK career on a high. With rain a possibility in Hampshire tomorrow too, there’s every chance he could yet spring some surprises.

Round 19 of the 2007 Formula Renault UK Championship will take place at Thruxton tomorrow, Sunday, 14th October, at approximately 12.20. The 20th and final round of the season is scheduled to get underway at 17.00 – both races will be featured live on cable and digital satellite channel Setanta Sports 1.