2009  International News

Anglesey racer Alex Jones suffered the highs & lows for motorsport in a fraught finale to the highly competitive 2009 MSA British Formula Ford Championship at the high speed Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire on Saturday. After qualifying 8th fastest in the wet morning practice which saw the first 10 cars covered by less than 1 second, he knew a good start would be essential. Starting on the rain soaked track, which was now drying out to a greasy sheen, Jones got an excellent start and made up a handful of places to run in an excellent 4th place and was looking like he could challenge for a podium place, when the organisers slowed the race behind a safety car, as several cars had crashed at the notorious Quarry Corner. After several laps behind the safety car the race was re-started, however Jones got hit in the scramble for the first corner and found himself back in 7^th. He then recovered to 6^th place before a rain shower saw another 2 cars join the damaged cars already at Quarry Corner. On the next lap, also at Quarry Corner, Jones has hit by his team-mate Daniel Cammish in a dubious manoeuvre which saw Cammish hit Jones’ car squarely side-on, putting them both out, to make it 6 cars damaged & sidelined at Quarry Corner. Afterwards Jones explained "After the re-start I was hit on the run to the first corner and it damaged my steering, that made the car difficult to drive. Even so you don’t expect your team-mate to crash into you!"

After some frantic work by the Kevin Mills mechanics, Jones car was repaired enough to make the gird for the second race. However, even though Jones was initially able to get up to 6th place, his pace faded and he eventually finished 8th, to at least score some welcome points. Afterwards Jones revealed ‘It was difficult as the car began to jump out of gear! We didn’t have time to check it out after the crash and I had to hold into 5th gear most of the way!’ This was an incredible handicap at such a high speed circuit like Castle Combe , forcing him to drive one-handed and highlighted Jones undoubted skill to be able to bring his crippled car home. Jones & his family will take some time to decide on one of several possible options for 2010 to build on his 2009 experiences.

Alex Jones asked me to pass this message on, regards Robert

Alex Jones

http://www.alexjonesracing.com/

http://www.britishformulaford.co.uk/

Results http://www.tsl-timing.com