Rodin Motorsport’s Louis Sharp enjoyed a perfect Saturday at Donington Park, as the British-born New Zealander claimed a double pole position and a third win of the year in the opening race of the event.
“It was a good race, obviously Tymek [Kucharczyk] was pushing quite hard behind, he was definitely fast, but a light to flag win,” commented Sharp. “It wasn’t easy but I’m really happy to get it done and obviously with this point in the year in terms of the championship it’s a crucial win and really can’t ask for a better day one here at Donington.
“Obviously I need to keep a small eye on what’s going on, but end of the day I just need to do what I can myself and if I can perform and get good results every time it’ll kind of come together. Although I need to keep a close eye on them, I’m just focusing on myself at the moment.”
With his nearest championship contender Tymek Kucharczyk encountering drama on the final lap of the race, Sharp’s day was made all the more better, as he extended his title lead to 15 points.
Qualifying
Rodin Motorsport’s championship leader Louis Sharp delivered a fast lap in wet conditions, just before a red flag to take a double pole position, edging out championship rival Kucharczyk by 0.039s.
Kucharczyk looked on course for another pole, but Sharp crossed the line with a new benchmark, just seconds before the red flags flew after Noah Ping stranded his VRD Racing by Arden machine into the gravel at Redgate with two minutes remaining. Sharp’s late effort shaved just over a tenth off his previous best, with that lap ensuring he also claimed pole position for race two.
With so little time remaining, the session was not restarted, giving Sharp his third and fourth pole positions of the season, with Kucharczyk having to settle for second.
Despite challenging drizzly conditions, the first wet running of the week produced an ultra close top-three, with Gerrard Xie’s Hitech just 0.002s further back, the lead trio covered by 0.041s, with Xie leading much of the session. John Bennett (JHR), Ping and Rodin newcomer Freddie Slater completed the qualifying top-six.
Race one
All cars moved onto slick tyres for the race, but conditions remained tricky off line. Sharp made a good start from pole to build up a small lead to Kucharczyk through the opening tours, but Kucharczyk fought back mid race to trim the lead down to just over half a second.
The gap widened again after the mid-point, but Kucharczyk started the final lap just seven tenths of a second behind. But the Polish driver ran wide at the Old Hairpin, and dropped down to fourth, while reducing the pressure on Sharp, with Xie and Bennett moving onto the podium.
Kucharczyk had to fend off further challenges on the final lap from Ping and Slater, but just about hung onto his position to minimise any further championship damage.
Sharp won by over four seconds as he extended his championship lead, with two further races this weekend and three more at the Brands Hatch finale.
GB3 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, Donington Park qualifying top-six result:
1/ Louis Sharp, Rodin Motorsport, 1m33.263s
2/ Tymek Kucharczyk, Hitech Pulse-Eight, +0.039s
3/ Gerrard Xie, Hitech Pulse-Eight, +0.041s
4/ John Bennett, JHR Developments, +0.266s
5/ Noah Ping, VRD Racing by Arden, +0.282s
6/ Freddie Slater, Rodin Motorsport, +0.468s
20/ Jacob Douglas, Chris Dittmann Racing, +1.767
GB3 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, Donington Park race one top-six result:
1/ Louis Sharp, Rodin Motorsport, 14 laps
2/ Gerrard Xie, Hitech Pulse-Eight, +4.619s
3/ John Bennett, JHR Developments, +5.430s
4/ Tymek Kucharczyk, Hitech Pulse-Eight, +10.696s
5/ Noah Ping, VRD Racing by Arden, +12.140s
6/ Freddie Slater, Rodin Motorsport, +12.675s
17/ Jacob Douglas, Chris Dittman Racing, +35.005
GB3 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, driver’s standings after race 19 of 24
1/ Louis Sharp, Rodin Motorsport, 371pts
2/ John Bennett, JHR Developments, 356pts
3/ Tymek Kucharczyk, Hitech Pulse-Eight, 344pts
4/ Will Macintyre, Hitech Pulse-Eight, 305pts
5/ McKenzy Cresswell, Elite Motorsport, 286pts
6/ Jarrod Waberski, Elite Motorsport, 231pts
GB3 Championship, partnered by the BRDC, team’s standings after race 19 of 24
1/ Hitech Pulse-Eight, 737pts
2/ Rodin Motorsport, 728pts
3/ Elite Motorsport, 573pts
4/ JHR Developments, 546pts
5/ VRD Racing by Arden, 403pts
6/ Fortec Motorsports, 254pts
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