Jim Edwards Jnr Gets Ride At Brands

**Craig** · 27 Sep 2001, 19:14 (Ref:152214)

Blimey!

Quote:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2001
WORDS: 311

CLIO CUP CHAMPION TO MAKE FORMULA RENAULT DEBUT!

Reigning Elf Clio Renaultsport UK Cup Champion Jim Edwards Jnr (Maidenead) is a shock entry for Brands Hatch's final round of the Formula Renault UK Championship!

Edwards will race for the Interactive Network Solutions-sponsored Falcon Motorsport team, alongside regular driver Danny Watts (Northampton). It will be his first experience of a single-seater racing car for over a decade.

The 33-year-old, who visited Falcon's Faringdon workshops for a seat-fitting yesterday, said: "I last drove a Formula Renault in a wet test session at the beginning of 1991, but throughout my career I've only ever raced saloons. Before I sat in Falcon's car I couldn't even remember which side the gear lever was on!

"There's no way I'm going to get near the boys at the front - I weigh 14 stone and they're much lighter - so I'm going to treat it as a fun day out. But it's a great opportunity to learn something new, and on a circuit I love. I've got to say a big thanks to INS and Falcon for letting me drive a modern-day Formula Renault - they are superb racing cars and the action is phenomenal."

Since winning the 2000 Clio Cup title, Edwards has this year raced in the British Touring Car Championship's Production class in an INS-backed Honda, achieving one race victory, at Croft, plus several top four finishes.

Most of his racing career has been with Renault UK Motorsport, dating back to the late 1980s. At his third attempt, he won the Elf Renault 5 GT Turbo UK Cup in 1990 - earning himself a prize test drive in a Formula 3000 at Donington Park. He later competed in the 1.8-litre, 16V Clio series in 1995. After a four-year break, he returned to top-line racing in Renault's Clio Cup in 2000, taking four race wins and clinching the title with a round to go.

ENDS

Formula Renault Press Contact: Carl McKellar
Ref: FR61/01

Les · 27 Sep 2001, 21:27 (Ref:152334)

Wow!

Word of advice Jim - better unpack the thermals. Not a lot of glass in a Formula Renault!

RickP:Clio51 · 28 Sep 2001, 07:38 (Ref:152487)

Interesting...

How exactly is my top team-mate, "The Chunky Champ", going to fit in a FRenault?

Not sure there'll be room for thermals and Jim in the cockpit Les.

Jim: Top tip, if you want to make friends with the other drivers, make sure you've got lots of Pokemon cards to swap and maybe a couple of Britney posters to give away!

Got to wish him luck!

RickP

jim edwards · 28 Sep 2001, 08:11 (Ref:152494)

Thanks for your kind remarks Rick!
You may be able to help as it goes.
Need a few tyre levers, butter, hoists, strong guys etc to give us a lift out at around 4pm Sunday the 7th in the Parc Ferme area!!
Any Tackers?
Cheers
Slim Jim.

jim edwards · 28 Sep 2001, 08:13 (Ref:152495)

Takers even!

Jonny Apex · 28 Sep 2001, 09:53 (Ref:152537)

Jim. Have Falcon drafted you in to help Danny Watts out? That sounds like fun. Wish it was me. Is Rick P saying your fat?

**Stephen Green** · 28 Sep 2001, 13:23 (Ref:152659)

Jim, have a ball. I only wish I were there to see it, but I'll mention it to the other marshals. I'm sure they will give you a rousing cheer and a wave as you go by!

RickP:Clio51 · 28 Sep 2001, 13:31 (Ref:152666)

Don't expect Jim to wave back, not sure he'll be able to get his arms above the cockpit surrounds...
I'll be there Saturday, we can squeeze him in then for qualifying, give him a pillow and a comic book and leave him in there until we have to dismantle it after the race...
Keep taking the Slim Fasts...
RickP

**Stephen Green** · 28 Sep 2001, 15:08 (Ref:152707)

What I want to know Rick is, has he got those xtra strong epilettes so that we can grab him by the shoulders to pull him out the car?

RickP:Clio51 · 28 Sep 2001, 15:12 (Ref:152708)

Ejector seat Steven
Was the only option short of a portable crane at each marshals post.
RickP

Kelvin · 28 Sep 2001, 15:42 (Ref:152720)

Rick I think you being most unkind!
Jim is not overweight, its just success ballast!! :-)

Good luck Jim!

RickP:Clio51 · 28 Sep 2001, 15:45 (Ref:152721)

You are exactly right Kelvin,
It was Jims way of giving the rest of us a chance last year...
He started the year a wafer then put weight on until the rest of us had a chance of winning...
He is "The Chunky Champ"
RickP

jim edwards · 28 Sep 2001, 17:32 (Ref:152784)

Whats all this "a portable crane at each marshalls post" lark?
Are these FRenaults unreliable or something Rick?
and surely you meant to say " The Hunky Champ"
Cheers
Hunky Chunky!

**Stephen Green** · 28 Sep 2001, 17:47 (Ref:152796)

F Renaults...unreliable...did we say that Rick? It's a shame I wont be there to join in the fun but as you squeel your way around the Indy circuit I shall be reclining on the beach, gin and tonic in hand, thinking of you all in rain gear *chuckles loudly*

Stephen.

PS: Good luck Jim and I really do hope you enjoy the F Renault. See you next year unless you are planning to make a guest appearance at the FF Festival later in October?

jim edwards · 28 Sep 2001, 18:00 (Ref:152810)

My point being that I dont plan to be visiting any marshalls posts.
The Festival, Now there's a thought!!! How long can I hold my breath?
Jim.

Les · 28 Sep 2001, 21:15 (Ref:152944)

Oh I can see another film being used here.

Must get some pictures of the Chunky, Hunky, Champ in action!

**Stephen Green** · 29 Sep 2001, 18:08 (Ref:153339)

Jim,

I hope you don't visit any marshals posts either! Have a great time.

Stephen.

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