08/08/2005
NEWS STORY
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Congratulations to Stephen Simpson who had a dramatic weekend at Snetterton, where he was contesting the Formula Renault UK Championship.
Having qualified 2nd and 3rd on the grid for Sunday's races, it looked as the youngter's luck was finally about to change, following a number of problems in previous rounds.
Sure enough, Stephen made a strong, aggressive, start in the first of Sunday's races, and led flag to flag. However - and we have come to learn that there is always a however where Stephen is concerned - the poor devil was given a 10-second penalty for causing the start to be aborted.
It appears that on Saturday, a bolt in the bell housing broke causing damage to the clutch. Although the damage was replaced overnight, there was no chance to test before the race. Consequently, when Stephen found the clutch slipping at the start he raised his hand, thus causing the start to be aborted, and earning himself the 10-second penalty.
Nonetheless, Stephen gave a virtuoso performance at the re-start, making a good, clean but aggressive start, leading the race from flag to flag.
Despite the fact that the penalty had dropped him to fifth, the South African youngster remained buoyant and said that no matter what the records might say, he had won the race.
Another strong performance in the second race - run at near qualifying pace throughout - saw Stephen finish third behind Sean McIntosh and James Jakes.
The Snetterton 'win' came at the end of a dramatic week for Simpson, who on Wednesday and Thursday drove the South African A1 GP car at Silverstone.
The next round of the Formula Renault UK Championship is at Knockhill in Scotland, over the weekend of 27/28 August.