SPEED EuroSeries, Spa - Free Practice

With 21 Honda-powered cars taking part in free practice for rounds three and four, the SPEED EuroSeries is already proving itself to be Europe’s fastest growing sportscar formula. It would have been 24 had it not been for a spectacular accident during the previous day’s testing when Joey Foster’s WRF03 was pitched over the tyre barrier just after Eau Rouge. The former Formula Three driver is currently in hospital with a fractured vertebra. Not certain of what caused the accident, the WFR team withdrew the other factory car while Xero Competition also scratched its new WFR03 from the race.

The absence of Messrs Hughes, Firth, Foster and Moore, who jointly led the series following the first two rounds at Paul Ricard, has given the others the chance to catch up with the factory Wolfs amongst the favourites to do so. Indeed, it was Ivan Bellarosa, who will be taking advantage of a change in the regulations to drive solo, who was quickest in the free practice session at Spa-Francorchamps. Ivan was noticeably twitchy through Eau Rouge but was obviously enjoying himself flat out through the famous corner, recording a speed of 230km/h. “It wasn’t me that was mad, it was the car,” quipped the Italian. A development seen on Ivan’s car for the first time, although not the other two Wolfs featured three dampers at the front.

The only other driver under 2m 21s was Ander Vilariño in one of Team TFT’s Normas. Co-driver Frank Lamanna experienced a drop in voltage when he took over but it was the other TFT car that seemed to have greater problem. Having taken over from Jean Lou Rihon, Nick Padmore had just one lap to record third fastest lap before the engine started cutting out.

In fourth was the Juno of Darren Burke and Sarah Reader with the former recording setting the faster time. Darren reported “good progress” following the previous day’s testing. Former Caterham racer Sarah declared that they were both delighted with a new front end for the car, which gave improved grip.

Indicating the sheer variety of the SPEED EuroSeries in an increasingly spec series world, there were four different manufacturers in the top five with Lanen Racing’s Ligier in fifth place. Experienced LMP driver Robbie Kerr, who set the time, pointed out that this is still a new team with a new car and driver combination, he shares the car with Alex Craven, that is having to do its testing in public. Amongst the others, David Caussanel reported a worrying moment when the gear lever of his Pegaus Ligier came off in his hand at Pouchon. He and Julian Schell were eight fastest behind Philippe Haezebrouck’s Norma and the Wolf of former Formula One driver Alex Caffi and Maurizio Fratti.

With a fastest man who is currently only 11th in the championship and second place drivers who have yet to score, it looks likely that the drivers’ league table will see a dramatic change taking place following Friday’s 60 minute race and the 90-minute counter the following day.