Viking miss out on podium in dying moments

18 June 2018

Viking miss out on podium in dying moments

With a perfect race strategy and consistency from the drivers, Team Viking just miss out on a podium finish

Team Viking looked to be on course for their second podium in a row when they spun off the track in the dying moments of the four-hour race at Snetterton.

 The two-man driving team of Mark Holme and Nick Nunn had started the race with the perfect strategy of building up an early lead, whilst trying to gain distance on the other teams before the faster drivers came out to finish off the race. But, Holme and Nunn saw their lead disappear when the safety car was called onto the track with 40 minutes remaining and stayed out for some time.

 The team had a strong weekend, qualifying eighth in terms of time, but were drawn 19th on the grid for their starting position. Holme took the first 40 minute stint and managed to move from 19th up to seventh. “Our opening tactic was to let the race settle into its rhythm and then start picking people off,” explained Holme. “We had the pace and Nick improved our position in his first stint by clawing his way up to fifth.”

 Holme’s second of three stints saw him up in second place but, as he entered the hairpin turn, Uvio Racing locked up and there was the lightest of touches, which made the car spin – this saw Team Viking drop down the leader board.

 Team Viking’s tactic of building up time in the early stages was working, but the safety car was constantly being called upon and the lead kept dwindling as everyone would bunch themselves together again. For 90 minutes, Holme and Nunn were able to keep going and collect time on their rivals. “We were looking for another podium finish, but the safety car and a bit of bad luck saw us finish seventh. It was, however, a fantastic race and we’re still seeing improvements. We were one of 15 cars that could’ve won.”

 This gives Team Viking great confidence going into round four in Zandvoort in the Netherlands – another double header taking place on 30 June-01 July. “We’re confident, going into the next round, that it will be like Anglesey; it’s a track we know and the first race is double points, so it could really work in our favour,” concluded Holme.

Fastest Lap: 2:18.213

Laps: 96

Championship Standings: 6th