To the uninitiated, the Brands Hatch ‘Indy’ circuit might look a bit ‘Mickey Mouse’ – but mastering the five-corner, 1.9km layout in a race situation is anything but child’s play.That’s what Daniel Erickson discovered today in Round 19 of the British Formula Ford Championship.
Erickson started from third grid position in his first ever race on the ‘Indy’ circuit, but he finished fourth.
A less than perfect getaway by the CAMS International Rising Star allowed Dutchman Rogier de Wit and Briton Chrissy Palmer past on the first lap.
Erickson repassed Palmer before the chequered flag, but by then de Wit had scampered away.
The 18-minute race was won by American Josef Newgarden, with de Wit second and championship points leader James Cole third.
Erickson said after the race that his fate was virtually decided at the start.
“I didn’t get away all that well,” he said.
“I was trying to be careful not to get too much wheelspin, but instead I bogged it down a bit.
“Roger de Wit went to my outside on the entry to the first corner, Paddock Hill Bend, then he snuck down the inside off the exit.
He ran me wide on the run up the hill to Druids, and Chrissy Palmer got past as well, so suddenly I was back to fifth.
“I followed Chrissy for three or four laps, and then managed to get by him on the inside through Surtees and McLaren.
“We touched wheels but I made the move stick, and pulled away from him after that. By that point the leaders were long gone, and it was impossible to catch them.”
Erickson said that racing on the short, simple-looking ‘Indy’ layout had been harder than setting quick laps in testing and qualifying.
“On most circuits I’ve been able to make up ground on other drivers fairly easily, but here it was extremely tough,” he said.
He vowed to get away from the grid faster in Sunday’s remaining two BFFC races.
“To be honest I’m a bit cranky with myself, because car definitely has the pace to run at the front,” he said. “I’m determined to get better starts tomorrow.”
RESULTS SUMMARY*
1. Josef Newgarden (USA) Mygale
2. Rogier De Wit (NED) Mygale
3. James Cole (GB) Mygale
4. Daniel Erickson (AUS) Spectrum
*Full results to follow
SCHEDULE
Sunday, September 6
Race 2 (Round 20) – 3.05-3.23pm UK time (00.05-00.23 Monday AEST)
Race 3 (Round 21) – 5.05-5.35pm UK time (02.05-02.23am Monday AEST)
NOTE: 'Live online timing' is not available for this weekend's BFFC races. Results and news will be posted on Daniel's website as soon as they're available.
