MSV Formula 3 Racing Results : 2011

Oulton Park | 22nd October 2011

Dave Karaskas was one of the few drivers not testing on the day before the races, having given his new car its first shake down test before the start of the season at Oulton. Naturally, he was a bit rusty, and was playing catchup in the qualifying session. Unfortunately, he was just getting into his stride when a car spun off and got stranded at Shell Hairpin. When the safety car came in there was just time for one more lap before the end of the session. Therefore nobody was able to improve their times. Dave qualified fifth for race one and sixth for race two.

Karaskas was running a new kind of clutch on the car, and at the start of race one, he got too much wheelspin and was slow away. He was passed by Kat Impey and Nick Robinson. Dave was able to get down the inside of Robinson at the first corner, and set off after Impey. Kat was not driving particularly quickly but was defending very well, placing her car in just the right places to stop Dave passing. Karaskas sat right behind her, challenging at every corner, piling on enormous amounts of pressure. Impey withstood that pressure well, until about mid distance, Karaskas managed to put his cars nose down the inside at Cascades and by carrying more speed into the corner, was able to come out beside Kat. The two went along the next straight side by side and also into the flat out left curve at Island Bend. They gave each other racing room and Karaskas was able to get into the Shell Hairpin in front and quickly pulled away. Mark Terry retired into the pits which promoted Dave to fourth place. Aaron Steele has gear selection problems and didn't feature in the race. It was won by Chris Needham, with pole sitter Mark Harrison in second from Tristan Cliffe third.

For race two, Kat Impey was ahead of Karaskas on the grid. Dave again made a tardy start. Nick Robinson got a flyer and got passed both of them, putting Karaskas down to 7th. Impey again drove a defensive race, but this time was unable to withstand the pressure that Karaskas was piling on. She took a defensive line into Cascades; Karaskas pulled to the right and drove around the outside of the corner to pass Impey. Once passed, Dave improved his times by 3seconds a lap. He set about catching Nick Robinson. After a few laps, he was right with Robinson, but then the pressure got the better of Nick who spun off at the entrance to the Knickerbrook Chicane. That put Karaskas into his finishing position of 5th. Aaron Steele won from Chris Needham and Mark Terry.

Dave Karaskas said he has enjoyed this season greatly. It's seen mixed fortunes for him. It was a shame that engine problems robbed him of the win at Donington in the wet and the clutch failure cost him a third place finish at Silverstone. However 6 podiums and the achievement of his 400th race which came at Brands Hatch were high points. The first season of the MSV F3 Cup has been a great success and Dave is looking forward to next year when hopefully the F3 Cup will be given full Championship status.