World Series by Renault - Silverstone Jul 4/5

[chunterer]

Ok the UK leg of the 'tour' comes to Silverstone this weekend.

Top of the bill is the Formula Renault 3.5 series featuring a particularly strong field with 2 races; 1 on Saturday afternoon and one on Sunday.

Also to see is the Eurocup & British FR 2.0 series; Megane Eurocup and UK Clio Cup along with regular F1 demo's.

Reason i kicked off the thread is that I am after a decent entry list & timetable that I can print off in advance, as the official website appears to be a bit out of date and the 'programme' section keeps playing up when I try to print off!!

Anyone know of anywhere else we can find such info?

[WSR Fan]

The following link gives you entry lists and some other stats for the three main series and below is the full weekend timetable:

Saturday 4th July

09:00 - 09:45 - World Series by Renault Qualifying (Groups A & B)
10:00 - 10:35 - Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Qualifying (Groups A & B)
10:50 - 11:05 - World Series by Renault Superpole
11:15 - 11:35 - Eurocup Megane Trophy Qualifying
11:50 - 12:10 - Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Superpole
12:15 - 12:40 - Pitwalk
12:40 - 13:00 - Historic Parade
13:00 - 13:10 - Renault F1 Exhibition
13:30 - 14:20 - World Series by Renault Race One
14:35 - 14:55 - Historic Parade
15:10 - 15:53 - Eurocup Megane Trophy Race One
16:05 - 16:15 - Renault F1 Exhibition
16:30 - 16:57 - Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Race One
17:10 - 17:40 - ELF Clio Cup Qualifying
17:50 - 18:15 - UK Formula Renault 2.0 Qualifying

Sunday 5th July

09:00 - 09:30 - UK Formula Renault 2.0 Race One
09:50 - 10:20 - ELF Clio Cup Race One
10:35 - 10:50 - Historic Parade
10:55 - 11:10 - Silent Church Break (!)
11:25 - 11:52 - Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Race Two
12:05 - 12:15 - Renault F1 Exhibition
12:15 - 12:55 - Pitwalk
13:15 - 14:05 - World Series by Renault Race Two
14:20 - 14:35 - Historic Parade
14:50 - 15:33 - Eurocup Megane Trophy Race Two
15:50 - 16:20 - ELF Clio Cup Race Two
16:30 - 16:40 - Renault F1 Exhibition
16:50 - 17:20 - UK Formula Renault 2.0 Race Two

[chunterer]

That's great, thanks for the timetable and link WSR Fan, I'm sure we'll all benefit from that.

Having peered through the 3.5 entry, it once again strikes me that it is a high quality list of drivers!

Plenty of highly rated young drivers - arguably one of the best ever seasons in terms of talent.

Martinez, the current series leader featured quite strongly last year IIRC?

[kerrmanningjarv]

Probably add Mihai Marinescu in the 2nd RC Motorsport car to the list in the WSR media guide.

[WSR Fan]

Originally Posted by chunterer

That's great, thanks for the timetable and link WSR Fan, I'm sure we'll all benefit from that.

No probs mate, thanks

You're spot on about the talent in the grid this year. As you said, it's great to see young drivers like Turvey, Alguersuari and van der Drift doing the business and putting in great peformances each round. There have also been some nice surprises thrown in too: the early pace shown by Martinez and the great debut weekend by Jon Lancaster in Hungary being just two examples.

It's also been far closer in the championship than 2008. Last year became a bit one-sided with van der Garde walking away with the title, but things are so much closer this season with the Top 3 in the title race covered by just 10 points after 7 races.

And yes, Martinez had his best race weekend of the season at Silverstone last year, taking second in the first race and sixth in Race two.

I should be at Silverstone on Saturday, my third year in a row, and I can't wait!

[WSR Fan]

Oh, and apart from Marcos Martinez, Adam Khan will be doing the Renault F1 demo's this weekend:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75668

[Keyfabe]

Originally Posted by WSR Fan

Oh, and apart from Marcos Martinez, Adam Khan will be doing the Renault F1 demo's this weekend:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75668

Adam Khan is a bit of a let down after been treated to Roman Gosjean last year, but hey its still gonna be a great weekend lets hope we get some hot sunny weather and Brit winner....am I asking too much lol

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by WSR Fan

No probs mate, thanks

You're spot on about the talent in the grid this year. As you said, it's great to see young drivers like Turvey, Alguersuari and van der Drift doing the business and putting in great peformances each round. There have also been some nice surprises thrown in too: the early pace shown by Martinez and the great debut weekend by Jon Lancaster in Hungary being just two examples.

Indeed, I'm wondering when Chris will notch up his first win, maybe he needs to get his qualy sorted a bit, but generally he goes forwards come the races?

Originally Posted by WSR Fan

And yes, Martinez had his best race weekend of the season at Silverstone last year, taking second in the first race and sixth in Race two.

I should be at Silverstone on Saturday, my third year in a row, and I can't wait!

That's right, Duran's fantastic drive on the Saturday is etched in the mind but couldn't remember much else!! Was it Martinez about 5-6 seconds clear early on in race one and then overhauled or was that another Spaniard?

Yup i'm planning on going both days, was wondering if Goodwood might reduce numbers a bit but Renault seem to think it's going to be a record crowd this year?

Folks, we'd better make sure we're there bloody early, particularly on Sunday!!

[strider]

The qualifying sessions have been run. Report here and these are the times:

Group A

Pos Driver                  Team           Time          Gap
 1. James Walker            P1             1m33.697s  
 2. Jaime Alguersuari       Carlin         1m34.018s  +0.321
 3. Adrian Valles           Epsilon        1m34.242s  +0.545
 4. Marcos Martinez         Pons           1m34.316s  +0.619
 5. Oliver Turvey           Carlin         1m34.328s  +0.631
 6. Greg Mansell            Ultimate       1m34.509s  +0.812
 7. Adrian Zaugg            Interwetten    1m34.650s  +0.953
 8. John Martin             Comtec         1m34.677s  +0.980
 9. Michael Herck           Interwetten    1m34.786s  +1.089
10. Sten Pentus             Fortec         1m34.851s  +1.154
11. Pasquae Di Sabatino     RC             1m34.863s  +1.166
12. Guillaume Moreau        SG             1m35.083s  +1.386
13. Anton Nebylitskiy       SG             1m36.207s  +2.510

Group B

Pos Driver                  Team           Time          Gap
 1. Brendon Hartley         Tech 1         1m33.954s
 2. Daniil Move             P1             1m34.398s  +0.444
 3. Fairuz Fauzy            Fortec         1m34.494s  +0.540
 4. Marco Barba             Draco          1m34.509s  +0.555
 5. Charles Pic             Tech 1         1m34.581s  +0.627
 6. Bertrand Baguette       Draco          1m34.631s  +0.677
 7. Jon Lancaster           Comtec         1m34.647s  +0.693
 8. Miguel Molina           Ultimate       1m34.671s  +0.717
 9. Chris van der Drift     Epsilon        1m36.175s  +2.221
10. Federico Leo            Pons           1m36.289s  +2.335
11. Filip Salaquarda        Prema          1m36.342s  +2.388
12. Omar Leal               Prema          1m36.345s  +2.391

[strider]

The Superpole sessions has also been held with Charles Pic coming out ahead of James Walker and Brendon Hartley. Report here, and the times:

Superpole
Pos Driver                  Team          Time          Gap
 1. Charles Pic             Tech 1        1m33.073s
 2. James Walker            P1            1m33.120s  +0.047
 3. Brendon Hartley         Tech 1        1m33.426s  +0.353
 4. Oliver Turvey           Carlin        1m33.501s  +0.428
 5. Fairuz Fauzy            Fortec        1m33.591s  +0.518
 6. Daniil Move             P1            1m33.732s  +0.659
 7. Marcos Martinez         Pons          1m33.781s  +0.708
 8. Bertrand Baguette       Draco         1m33.920s  +0.847
 9. Jaime Alguersuari       Carlin        1m33.971s  +0.898
10. Adrian Valles           Epsilon       1m33.986s  +0.913
11. Marco Barba             Draco         1m34.107s  +1.034
12. Greg Mansell            Ultimate      1m34.149s  +1.076

Now for one of those silly reverse grid races this afternoon with Baguette on 'pole'.

[runshaw]

I think that is the third time Martinez has qualified 7th this year, giving himself chance of victory, I hate reverse grids!

[Super Hans]

I agree about the high-quality entry. The race today was a little processional, but credit to Fairuz Fauzy for forcing mistakes from Move and Baguette.

[strider]

Results of said race (another win for Martinez):

Pos  Driver                Team               Time/Gap
 1.  Marcos Martinez       Pons             45m49.264s
 2.  Fairuz Fauzy          Fortec           +   1.227s
 3.  Oliver Turvey         Carlin           +   3.218s
 4.  James Walker          P1               +   5.105s
 5.  Brendon Hartley       Tech 1           +   6.111s
 6.  Jaime Alguersuari     Carlin           +   6.717s
 7.  Charles Pic           Tech 1           +  11.978s
 8.  Bertrand Baguette     Draco            +  15.501s
 9.  Miguel Molina         Ultimate         +  15.893s
10.  Marco Barba           Draco            +  18.178s
11.  Greg Mansell          Ultimate         +  19.105s
12.  Adrian Valles         Epsilon Euskadi  +  19.480s
13.  Adrian Zaugg          Interwetten      +  21.785s
14.  Sten Pentus           Fortec           +  22.207s
15.  Federico Leo          Pons             +  39.219s
16.  Guillaume Moreau      SG               +  39.913s
17.  Julian Leal           Prema            +  51.516s
18.  Daniil Move           P1               +  51.800s
19.  Filip Salaquarda      Prema            +1m10.775s
20.  Michael Herck         Interwetten      +1m11.853s
21.  John Martin           Comtec           +    1 lap
22.  Jon Lancaster         Comtec           +    1 lap

Retirements:

     Pasquale di Sabatino  RC               5 laps
     Chris van der Drift   Epsilon Euskadi  4 laps
     Anton Nebylitskiy     SG               0 laps

[chunterer]

Today's race lacked the 'hunting down' aspect that Duran offered this time last year. Martinez did all he had to, Baguette couldn't stay with him and fell back, whilst Move was holding up a train including Fauzy; Turvey; Walker; Hartley and Alguersuari until he fell off at Vale, only to rejoin and then ruin Pic's progress!

Fauzy drove well once clear of Daniil but took too long dealing with Baguette imo, iand if not for that he might have had more time to catch and tackle Marcos whom he ate into over the last half dozen laps or so. But was Martinez just strolling?

Pic and Molina were the only other guys really to make many moves, good value they were.

Van der Drift, had his best time scrubbed in qualy for spinning and forcing the session to be stopped apparently. He passed about 5 people before retiring though.

I guess tomorrow's race will have a different dimension again with the grid reverting to the quickest superpole times is that right?

[strider]

Originally Posted by chunterer

I guess tomorrow's race will have a different dimension again with the grid reverting to the quickest superpole times is that right?

Yes, thank God, otherwise there wouldn't be much point in the whole qualifying process! But never mind, it's 'genius marketing'. Apparently.

[bella]

if anyone's going tomorrow, get there early - it was mobbed today! don't be surprised if you end up parked in leicester... and don't forget your sunscreen especially if you're going to have a beer. the only people sunburnt today were carrying a half consumed pint...

molina was good value, specifically that overtaking move at bridge. it looked for a while like fauzy might have been able to catch martinez but alas. the majority of the spectators would have still found it "boring" if there had been dicing for the lead all race though.

[Rob29]

Originally Posted by bella

if anyone's going tomorrow, get there early - it was mobbed today! don't be surprised if you end up parked in leicester... and don't forget your sunscreen especially if you're going to have a beer. the only people sunburnt today were carrying a half consumed pint...

Watched on TV and stands still looked half empty to me.

[Peat]

Originally Posted by bella

if anyone's going tomorrow, get there early - it was mobbed today! don't be surprised if you end up parked in leicester...

Great. My mate who is driving (and sadly has the tickets) said he would pick me up at 10 from Oxford...... So, sounds like a day stuck in a traffic jam then. I hope he has air-con.

[viller]

There's no broadcast on Eurosport today ?

[strider]

Originally Posted by viller

There's no broadcast on Eurosport today ?

No, the Tour de France has started, that's all you need to know about that.

[Rob29]

Originally Posted by viller

There's no broadcast on Eurosport today ?

Its delayed to 23.15BST on British EurosportCoverage of Tour de France delayed by 30mins,due to problems at WTCC Porto-so not all bad

[bella]

Originally Posted by Rob29

Watched on TV and stands still looked half empty to me.

i can assure you that wasn't the case. i'm sure we have this discussion regularly about reality vs tv spectators. all the grandstands that were open around the complex/copse were packed, and today there were more people spectating in the "general admission" areas. they still need to employ more security people/spectator marshals.

you have to remember this is a series in which most people don't know what they're going to watch, and they all stick around the main pits/paddock/complex area rather than exploring. the centre was very busy (since this is where the entertainment is). it's not like f1 where the majority of the crowd are in their places for the start and a vast part of the race - i doubt it's any more than 60-70% of the crowd who bother to watch the actual fr3.5 race. they're not fanboys of one specific series, they just watch whatever they feel like watching.

[Peat]

Well, i got in, in alright time, bit of a queue in. As always, super-rammed, lots of undesirable people about. My mate at Fortec told me that they have had loads of gear nicked (Wheels, batterys etc).

Racing wasnt particually great.

And getting home? wow. 3 hours to get out of the car-park...... It all got very heated...

[bella]

i left via buckingham and didn't hit traffic once - i saw the jam on the other side of the road and decided that anything but that was a good option!

i'm not surprised people had stuff nicked, myself and 2 other female friends were verbally abused by some lads on saturday because we wouldn't respond to "oi, darlin'".

[ford prefect]

left the circuit at 4.30, was home in time to see the end of the tennis! Great day, well done to all concerned.