FORMULA 3: American takes 3rd place after claiming pole position
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
April 16, 2001Norfolk, England. --American star Paul Edwards claimed his first ever British Formula 3 pole position yesterday at Snetterton circuit in England, and followed the performance with his first ever British Formula 3 podium position today. Edwards, driving a Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda for Alan Docking Racing, finished the second of Sunday's two races in third position to cap a promising weekend.
The result was a successful continuation of Edwards' Rookie season, which began just two weeks ago at Silverstone circuit, where the young Californian qualified fourth for his first ever British Formula 3 race. In that race, Edwards stormed to the front and led for half the race before falling to fourth after encountering tyre trouble.
Sunday Race 1 (round three of championship)
Start 10 Finish 12
"Starting from tenth position, I knew a good start was my best chance at securing a high finishing position. At the lights I made a great start and attempted to pass two cars on the outside. I had decided to run a high downforce setup to facilitate overtaking on the first lap and thought I would be able to keep the line, but unfortunately I slid wide and was passed by two cars. From that point forward the race was a procession for me."
Sunday Race 2 (round four of championship)
Start 1 Finish 3
"Having qualified on pole position I was confident going into the second race. At the start I was bogged down by a puddle in my start box and was overtaken by my teammate and Takuma Sato going into the first corner. I had chosen a softer setup in hopes that it would rain, but the track remained only damp and I had no chance of overtaking the leaders. I am very happy for my teammate Andy Priaulx and the entire Alan Docking Team; a one-three finish is a great start to the season."
Summary
"This was a positive weekend for the whole team and I. A pole position and a podium are not bad for your second F3 weekend, and I am confident a win is just around the corner. I have learned a tremendous amount from my first two F3 race weekends and I am confident that I will do even better in the next race. Everything is going well and I am happy to see the Alan Docking Racing team back at the front where they belong."
Edwards begins testing this Wednesday at Pembrey circuit in preparation for his next race at Donington Park on April 29. Edwards is sponsored by Doug Mockett and Company, a retailer of high-end architectural hardware; Logic Nutrition; Bell Helmets; and Aston-Green Audi. He currently lies sixth in the Series standings after two races.
SNETTERTON RACE RESULTS: ROUNDS 3 & 4
Race 1 results (dry track)
Pos, Driver
1 Matt Davies
2 Derek Hayes
3 Gianmaria Bruni
4 Ryan Dalziel
5 Nicolas Kiesa
6 James Courtney
7 Andre Lotterer
8 Anthony Davidson
9 Milos Pavlovic
10 Mark Taylor
12 Paul Edwards
Race 2 result (damp track)
Pos, Driver
1 Andy Priaulx
2 Takuma Sato
3 Paul Edwards
4 Derek Hayes
5 Nicolas Kiesa
6 James Courtney
7 Ryan Dalziel
8 Matt Davies
9 Andre Lotterer
10 Gianmaria Bruni
Text provided by Justin Troxell
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