RACE REPORT

GRAHAM CONTENT WITH CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD AFTER DIFFICULT SUNDAY AT SNETTERTON.

Matty Graham (GBR) Douglas Motorsport

After enjoying a highly successful Saturday, Matty endured a more difficult Sunday in the final two races of the Snetterton BRDC F4 Winter Series meeting but still left the Norfolk Circuit with the series lead at the half way stage.

Heading into the morning’s qualifying session with conditions similar to those he excelled in on Saturday, Matty was fully involved in the battle for the race three pole.

Whilst his qualifying efforts could only secure third place on the grid, he was content in the knowledge that this would ensure a cleaner starting spot and hopefully avoid a repeat of Saturday’s sluggish getaways.

True to form, pole sitter Jake Cook struggled away from the line and Graham took full advantage to surge into the lead.

It was a short lived lead however when second placed man Fielding made a clumsy lunge at the Agostini curve and spun Graham of the circuit.

While he was able to rejoin, he could only fight back as far as sixth before the 20 minute race time limit expired.

For the final race of the weekend, Graham started from fifth and while he hauled his way up to third, he was unable to find the rhythm he had enjoyed up to that point to challenge the leaders.

Struggling with an under-steering race car as a result of the collision with Fielding, Graham battled manfully to hold on to the final podium sport however, it was a battle he ultimately lost as he crossed the line and had to settle for fourth.

While Sunday may not have delivered the glories enjoyed on Saturday, Graham did leave Norfolk with a two point lead in the championship ahead of the final round at Brands Hatch on November 23/24.

Speaking post event, Graham said; “Saturday was great and I couldn’t have been happier.  The team prepared a brilliant car and it meant I could attack and recover from the two slow starts.”

Graham added; “Sunday was disappointing, particularly as there was no need for the crash with Fielding. It was judged to be a racing incident and these things do unfortunately happen, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating.”

Looking ahead to the second and last meeting of the championship, the Grand Prix aspirant is in a positive frame of mind.

He said; “Snetterton hasn’t always been my favourite so to do so well means we’re in a good position as we head to Brands.  I’m determined to bounce back and take the title.”