Meridian Racing continued its winning ways in the highly competitive Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain at Donington Park on Saturday (19 April).
Connor Mills and newcomer Bobby Thompson, who joins the team following Ashley Sutton’s departure, used Thursday’s (17 April) free practice sessions to get acquainted with the Derbyshire/Leicestershire circuit and finished the day ninth and tenth quickest overall respectively.
As the sun reached its highest point in the sky on Saturday, (19 April) the 13-car Formula Ford GB field took to the track for the championship’s 20-minute qualifying session.
Mills looked to build on his impressive outing at the series’ official test day at Hampshire’s Thruxton circuit last week and went top of the Scholarship timings with a 1m06.860s.
Meanwhile, Mills’s teammate Thompson – who had only one previous experience in Formula Ford machinery prior to this weekend – will line-up third in class after completing just 14 tours of the 1.94mile Donington Park track.
In Saturday’s opening encounter, Mills held his initiative over nearest rival Chris Mealin to claim the top step of the Scholarship Class, while Thompson opened his Formula Ford account with an impressive ninth, despite only being called to action on Wednesday (16 April).
As the field approached Redgate corner for the first time under race conditions, Mills lost out to rivals Mealin and Ricky Collard when he was squeezed to the inside, demoting him to tenth position overall.
Never to be deterred, Mills set about reclaiming his position atop of the Scholarship standings and spent much of the hotly contested 20-minute race nose-to-tail with Mealin.
As battle intensified, the Safety Car made an appearance following a spin for Scholarship rival Collard, which promoted Mills to second in class.
At the restart, Mills took a do-or-die attitude with him through the latter half of the race and, with five minutes remaining, took opportunistic a dive up the inside of Mealin and back into the lead of the Scholarship Class at McLeans, which he would hold until the chequered flag.
“The race was really, really good,” said a delighted Mills. “I got a fantastic start, but the first few laps weren’t great and I lost a few positions. I was really focused on retaking those positions and didn’t give up until I was back in the lead of the Scholarship class.
“To claim a Scholarship win after the two DNFs at Brands Hatch a few weeks ago is fantastic! It was my main goal coming here this weekend and to have achieved that in the first race is a huge positive. Now I need to aim higher and try my best for a hat-trick of Scholarship wins.”
In only his first competitive outing in Meridian Racing’s Mygale M12-SJ single-seater, Thompson ran an enthralling race to claim a piece of silverware on his debut in Formula Ford.
Similar to Mills, Hornchurch’s Thompson took an uncompromising approach after the Safety Car intervention, making several big moves on his rivals to claim the third and final Scholarship Class podium spot, much to his and the team’s delight.
“I found out on Wednesday that I was going to be racing this weekend, and having never raced in the car, I am absolutely delighted,” said a speechless Thompson. “With each lap I was able to find more and more time but I didn’t know I was in third until I got back to Parc Ferme and the team told me.
“I’ve been getting quicker all weekend and fingers crossed I can do the same tomorrow.”
Meridian Racing Team Principal, Paul Abercrombie, said: “To win two Scholarship podiums on the bounce is brilliant! Connor (Mills) getting his first win is great and he will now be full of confidence heading into tomorrow’s two races and is certainly in-line for more podium success.
“Bobby (Thompson) found over six tenths of a second over the course of the race from what he was achieving in qualifying so, again, it is looking really positive for him heading into tomorrow.”
The Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain continues with Rounds 5 and 6 on Easter Sunday (20 April), which are scheduled to take place at 10.45 and 16.27 respectively.
For more information on Meridian Racing, please visit the official www.meridianmotorsport.com website, ‘like’ the team’s Facebook page or follow @MeridianMSport on Twitter and Instagram.