Round 3 - San Marino (Imola)

PRO SERIES Qualifying Race Report Finishing Order Download Mixed Logfile Ace Results Beginner Results
Race Distance:  31 laps	1998/99 Pole Position:  David Zasitko (1:16.813) 1998/99 Race Winner:  Paul Wilcox (0h45:35.694)

Qualifying

Race

The biggest news before the start of the Pro race in the warm mid-day sun of San Marino was that Mario Sarno was missing from the grid after receiving a light hand injury following an off during morning practice. This left Mark Butler with the front row all to himself, his time in qualifying being enough for pole anyway ahead of rookie Parkhouse and Champ Oliver Leroy.

As the lights blinked out Leroy made a good start and snatched 2nd from Parkhouse who put a wheel on the grass. On lap 4 Butler had a sideways moment and Leroy briefly took the lead only for Butler to take it back at Tamburello. On lap 9 Parkhouse found himself right behind Leroy into the chicane and he moved for the inside line only to find the Cyber Speed closing in on him and the two cars touched, launching Leroy's car over the front wheel of the Phoenix. Parkhouse kept it going but the day was over for the reigning Champ whose deranged rear wheel was off the ground. Opinions were mixed but both men blamed each other afterwards.

Parkhouse pitted for repairs on lap 10 and was back in for further attention on lap 26 but he still took 2nd place 43 seconds behind a delighted Mark Butler who even had time to have a rear wing replaced on lap 16. Butler revealed later that he had been pretty nervous for the last 15 laps. "That was scary! I think I lost about 2 stone through sweat during that race but seriously I have to thank BCR for preparing such a fantastic car." Certainly BCR seem to be running away with the title - a clear 500 points ahead of Cyber Speed! Mario Sarno retains a slender lead from Butler in the Drivers Race.