Lunar Racing Take First Formula Jedi Points
at Croft
19
April 2004
The Formula Jedi Championship started the season at a very wet and
windy Croft. Luckily, the friendly atmosphere of the north of England
circuit ensured spirits could not be dampened and an exceptional turnout
saw a massive grid of 27 cars, making Formula Jedi the Championship
of
choice
for
2004! The
racing
was how Formula One should be and provided an exciting first outing
for the Lunar Racing Team students of Weavers School in Wellingborough.
Friday's practice did not go well for Lunar Racing due to a series
of unexpected problems. With a tyre valve jamming closed and a gear
linkage break, the team's 600cc Jedi did not hit the track until the
afternoon.
The cut-down practice time lead to set up choices that were not as
perfect as would have been hoped for with incorrect gearing proving
to be the main problem.
Qualifying saw driver, 17 year old Katharine Impey, held
up behind a 1000cc car which failed to notice the blue flags and meant
a 9th-in-class position for race one. The race also got off to a bad
start with a clutch problem causing the car to stall. Katharine restarted
the car, but was had to start the race a lap down. This did not stop
her from driving an amazing
race and she made her way from last place to 8th in class, securing
Lunar Racing's first point of the season. Although the start was very
frustrating, it did make for an entertaining race!
After a long Saturday evening with the students working on the car, in terms
of reliability, the team had a trouble-free Sunday race. A compromise
set-up was chosen due to Sunday's changeable weather (dry tyres with wet suspension
settings), but
unfortunately the weather remained constant for the race. Katharine still managed
to get the car into the points though, and was all over the back of a 1000cc
car for much of the race!
The whole weekend was a fantastic experience for the
Weavers Students and returning home with two points has filled the team
and the school with confidence. They have shown that we can produce a reliable
car and race against adults on equal terms. The next goal of the MSportUK supported
Lunar Racing team is a podium finish.
See 2004 series calendar for Formula
Jedi
Related Story 02.03.2004 - Team
Jedi Racing British GT Team Join Lunar Racing and MSport-UK
