MSV Formula 3 Testing : 2011

Oulton Park | Testing Session | 25/03/2010 |

Oulton Park Testing Session in new Dallara F300

First test of new car

In preparation for the new season, Dave's team FISA Racing, took their new F3 car to Oulton Park in Cheshire for an initial shake down. The first session was used to settle into the car. A new seat had been moulded for Dave in the workshop but a few adjustments were needed to get comfortable in the car.

Dave's first problem was getting used to the digital dash, initially it's illumination was not bright enough to be seen easily while driving. This was soon rectified and the following two sessions were used to find out about the various systems on the car.

In the afternoon Dave started getting down to some serious lapping and generally getting used to the car, which turned out to be very different to his older F393. The new Dallara F300 has an Opal Spiess engine, which is more powerful than the Mugen Honda he's used to. The new car generated much more aerodynamic downforce than the old car. This meant the car felt more stable, and Dave set about learning how to carry more speed into corners and getting the power down faster coming out of them.

One of the afternoon sessions was devoted to scrubbing in new tyres in preparation for the first race meeting the following week. In all Dave completed six 30 minute sessions and finished the day with a best lap time of over four seconds faster than he had ever been round Oulton Park before. Another full days testing the following week would see the team well prepared for the first two races at the newly rebuilt Snetterton Circuit on 19th/20th March.