Little joy for Seb on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit! by Robert Allender (photo by Jacob Ebray)

Seb Morris surrendered his F4 championship lead after a disappointing weekend on the tight confines of the Brand Hatch Indy Circuit after he and the Hillspeed team failed to find the sweet spot on their MSV F4 chassis and Seb could not find the pace to put him futher up the grid. After a poor qualifying session, Sebs task in Race 1 was to target an 8th place, which would have seen on pole for race 2. However although he rose from 13^th on the grid and overtook 4 cars, agonizingly he finished in 9th place. Speaking before Sundays race Seb confirmed "Today will be another hard day. We just missed the pole position by one place, so will start from P9. I'll see what I can do from there." However worse was to follow as he crashed out of race 2 when battling with Jack Barlow, giving the Hillspeed team an almighty task to get the car ready for the 3rd race. Having completed the monumental task Seb at least got to race, but a determined drive from 16^th on the grid to a 13th place finish provided little comfort for Seb, the team and his family and support crew, but at least kept the points ticking over. With his main rivals scoring heavily, Seb has now dropped to 6th place. "It was an absolutely fantastic effort from all the Hillspeed Racing boys, and the MSVRacing and BRDCF4 guys for getting me out for Race 3! It was a very difficult weekend, but we will be back" Fortunately the two worst results will be dropped from final championship points, and with the Mickey Mouse confines of the Indy circuit now out of the way, the series now heads to wide open tracks that should suit Seb & the Hillspeed team better! The next races are at on 15/16 June at the Snetterton 300 circuit.  

See http://katehewif1.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/qa-with-seb-morris/ for a Q&A session with Seb Morris by Kate Hew

On the Ralph Firman designed 185 bhp Cosworth Duratec-powered MSV F4-013 car; the chassis, engine, gearbox and shock absorers are all sealed. Chassis adjustments are limited too; with ride heights, tracking, cambers and castor, free within specified limits. Anti-Roll bars and wings are adjustable and there a choice of 3 spring rates. There will be three 20 Minutes races per event. The grid for race 1 will be decided by on 20 minutes Qualifing session, and grid for races 2 & 3 will be decided by the finishing order or race 1. In race 2 the first 8 places will be switched and the grid for the third race in order of fastest laps from race 1 or 2. Points will be scored from 30 for a win to 1 for 20th. The two worst results from races at events entered will be dropped from final championship points. The championship winner will get £25,000 in cash and an F3 test with Carlin + the £5,000 Who Zooms’ Award, sponsored by Yoozoom for the driver who gains the most grid places during the 2013 season. The leading six drivers at the mid season point will also be rewarded with a special tour of the renowned McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. Also the winner may be selected as a McLaren Autosport BRDC finalist