UK 2.0: David Epton Racing Thruxton preview

DAVID EPTON -- THRUXTON PREVIEW

Formula Renault UK star David Epton is aiming high for the fifth and sixth rounds of the season at Thruxton Circuit on 3rd/4th June, especially with his Scorpio Motorsport team heading to the race meeting on the back of a superb victory at Oulton Park.

The 25-year-old, who originally hails from Fleet in Hampshire and is sponsored by Bombardier, Honeywell Aerospace and Universal Aviation, is looking forward to returning to his former 'home' circuit, a track he has historically enjoyed competing on, and has realistic hopes of pushing for a top six placing in both of the weekend's races

David, who works for Bae Systems in Preston, Lancashire, made his return to Formula Renault UK for the third and fourth rounds of the year at Oulton Park just under a fortnight ago and although changeable weather in qualifying made for a brace of grid starts which were lower than expected, his race pace was excellent.

Starting his season with a 13th and 12th place finish in rounds three and four respectively, the Scorpio ace is confident he can qualify well inside the top 10 at Thruxton when the series resumes in a little over a week's time and continue the terrific strides the team has made this year, team-mate Will Bratt winning round four after a great performance.

Speaking ahead of his second race meeting of the season, the reigning Formula Palmer Audi Vice-Champion commented: "We certainly went well in qualifying at Thruxton the last time we raced there in Formula Renault UK in 2004 so I see no reason why we can't be challenging for a place within the first three or four rows of the grid.

"It's all about qualifying and I'm hoping for a dry weekend so we can get some of the consistency back. The changeable weather at Oulton Park was a bit of a problem for us and certainly compromised what we were able to achieve there. We'd had no real running as our deal came together late so it was basically straight into the weekend.

"At Thruxton we need to qualify well, keep out of the traffic and then bring the car home with a good finish. Formula Renault UK has always been incredibly competitive but this year in particular I think there is a lot more strength in depth. People who were finishing just outside the top 10 at Oulton can win races and that's the difference this year."

In any 'slicks and wings' single-seater championship, qualifying is all important but this is especially the case in Formula Renault UK which is renowned as perhaps the most competitive junior level category of its kind in world motorsport and a key rung on the ladder to Formula One.

"If you're not hooked-up in qualifying you know there are a lot of drivers out there who will be and you'll be pushed down the grid very quickly", added David. "It's not going to be easy but we're confident and Will and I will both be pushing each other on.

"The car is really good, Will showed that by winning at Oulton, and I'm very happy to be back with Scorpio. Jon (Pettitt) and Tony (Trevor) always produce a great car and I think we've been able to take a lot of positives from the Oulton Park weekend which we can put into practice at Thruxton."

David's first taste of on-track action at Thruxton will be during a pair of 45-minute test sessions on Friday, 2nd June, with round five qualifying set to take place at 10.20 on Saturday, 3rd June, and round six qualifying scheduled to begin at 14.40.

-der