News Item
25th May 2003
Sharpe optimistic of GT podium finish
Taunton's Adam Sharpe believes he stands a fair chance of achieving a
Maiden podium finish in tomorrow's (Sunday) fifth round of the British GT Championship, a three-hour endurance race around Silverstone's full-length Formula One Grand Prix circuit.
Sharpe and team-mate Enzo Mucci will be challenging for honours in the
series' 'baby' GTC class and after today's (Saturday) qualifying session are confident that, even though their Atlanta Motorsport V6 Clio Renaultsport lacks the power of the rival Ferraris, Porsches and Morgans, they can steal a top three finish.
"It will all boil down to strategy in the end," said 18-year-old Sharpe,whose Clio was ninth fastest of the GTC runners in qualifying.
He added: "We estimate that even if we push the car hard we should be able to make one refuelling pitstop less than the others. That will save around two minutes which roughly equates to a full lap.
"The weather forecast is for intermittent rain showers which could also
play into our hands. The Clio is probably the nimblest car in its class around the corners in the wet and on slick tyres we think we'd be able to go for longer than the others when it begins to rain.
"The rain always turns the race into a lottery because a lot of guesswork is require in a very short space of time, but we look to be in good shape."
Sharpe's only concern is tyre wear. In qualifying, the Clio's left rear
Tyre 'grained' too much for both drivers and team's comfort.
Sharpe said: "We've all discussed what changes to the car's set-up we
Could make and the team will also be working with Dunlop's tyre technicians to come up with a solution. Clearly, the last thing I want to happen is a tyre blow out at high speed!
"I'm confident a solution will be found. Provided we enjoy solid
reliability, then I think we are in for our best showing to date."
Maiden podium finish in tomorrow's (Sunday) fifth round of the British GT Championship, a three-hour endurance race around Silverstone's full-length Formula One Grand Prix circuit.
Sharpe and team-mate Enzo Mucci will be challenging for honours in the
series' 'baby' GTC class and after today's (Saturday) qualifying session are confident that, even though their Atlanta Motorsport V6 Clio Renaultsport lacks the power of the rival Ferraris, Porsches and Morgans, they can steal a top three finish.
"It will all boil down to strategy in the end," said 18-year-old Sharpe,whose Clio was ninth fastest of the GTC runners in qualifying.
He added: "We estimate that even if we push the car hard we should be able to make one refuelling pitstop less than the others. That will save around two minutes which roughly equates to a full lap.
"The weather forecast is for intermittent rain showers which could also
play into our hands. The Clio is probably the nimblest car in its class around the corners in the wet and on slick tyres we think we'd be able to go for longer than the others when it begins to rain.
"The rain always turns the race into a lottery because a lot of guesswork is require in a very short space of time, but we look to be in good shape."
Sharpe's only concern is tyre wear. In qualifying, the Clio's left rear
Tyre 'grained' too much for both drivers and team's comfort.
Sharpe said: "We've all discussed what changes to the car's set-up we
Could make and the team will also be working with Dunlop's tyre technicians to come up with a solution. Clearly, the last thing I want to happen is a tyre blow out at high speed!
"I'm confident a solution will be found. Provided we enjoy solid
reliability, then I think we are in for our best showing to date."