Pal Kiss on fine form at Silverstone test
Atech GP’s Tama’s Pa’l Kiss headed the timesheets during the second official pre-season test for the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship at Silverstone National circuit on Tuesday, 9th March.
The 18-year-old Hungarian racer, now in his second season after finishing as the third highest Graduate Cup driver last year, recorded a best time of 53.374s (110.54mph average) around the 1.64-mile circuit – a full second quicker than the current lap record (54.386s – James Calado).
Meanwhile Scottish racer Lewis Williamson (Golspie) in the Manor Competition run car was again among the quickest drivers ending the day as the second fastest driver with a time of 53.401s (110.49mph average).
Brazilian Fabio Gamberini posted the fastest Graduate Cup time with a 53.978s (109.31mph average) in his Mark Burdett Motorsport run car.
The day’s first session saw CRS Racing’s Harry Tincknell (Exeter) set the early pace with a time of 53.627s (110.02mph average) closely followed by Pa’l Kiss, Williamson and Manor Competition’s Will Stevens (Oxshott, Surrey) who went quickest during the first official pre-season test at Brands Hatch Indy last week. There were also strong times set by Atech GP’s Nick Yelloly (Solihull), Fortec Motorsport’s Ollie Millroy (Surrey) and team-mate Swede Tom Blomqvist, son of rally legend Stig.
The afternoon session though belonged to Pa’l Kiss who used fresh rubber to set his best time on his 38th lap of 48 completed at the Northamptonshire circuit. Williamson and Stevens both ran well but were unable to match the Hungarian racer.
Along with Gamberini, karting star CRS Racing’s Robert Foster-Jones (Southend-on-Sea) also finished inside the top 10 for the day as did Manor Competition’s Josh Mulholland (Randalstown, Northern Ireland).
The day also provided the opportunity for the Championship’s latest registered drivers to get some valuable track time. Joe Crook (Hailsham, East Sussex) joins Scorpio Motorsport after moving up from the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship in which he finished 10th. Meanwhile Fortec Motorsport have completed their four-car line-up with the signing of Chrissy Palmer (West Marden, West Sussex).
Commenting on his time, which was almost half a second faster than last year’s best testing time (53.808s – James Calado), Pa’l Kiss said: “I’m delighted with the time and with the effort and support of the team, and it’s boosted my confidence ahead of the season opener. I’m really enjoying the new car too as it suits my style of driving more. In the old car you had to fight with the steering around Silverstone but you don’t get that with the new one. I just hope we can continue this progress into the Rockingham test next week.”
The next official test takes place on 15th/16th March at Rockingham Motor Speedway while the opening rounds of the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship take place at Hampshire’s Thruxton circuit on 3rd/4th April.
