Rao roars at Rockingham

Matt Rao made a superb start off the line and withstood early pressure from Fortec team-mate Sam MacLeod to win the third and final race of the weekend in the Cooper Tires British Formula Three Championship at Rockingham.

The afternoon race of the opening event of the season saw a reverse of fortunes for MacLeod, who had won the previous two races of the weekend but was slightly tardy off the line at the start, conceding the lead to Rao into the first corner.

Like his team-mate the day before, MacLeod deemed turn two as the best place to go for the lead, and this time it was Rao who could watch MacLeod attempt to tackle the full oval course rather than turn two, but not before MacLeod had given Rao a little assistance into the corner.

MacLeod’s ambition to take a third victory for the weekend dispersed there and then, and any hope for redemption with points too as the Dallara was parked on track.

Rao now looked firmly in control with Double R's Andy Chang dropping off and into the clutches of Martin Cao (Fortec) who lost fourth place at the start, being passed by Camren Kaminsky (Double R) and Alice Powell (Carlin). He dispatched that duo and then Chang to take second place, but Rao was too comfortable with a by now dandy lead which he took to the chequered flag.

“To finish it this way is just so good,” said Rao. “We tried as hard as we could to stay consistent and we’ve been quick all weekend. I’d like to thank all the guys. It’s the best feeling ever!”

For Cao it was a trio of second places to put a smile on his face leaving Rockingham. “I messed up the start, but luckily everything ran smoothly and I’m happy to finish P2.”

Chang was smiling in third. “I’m very happy,” he beamed. “The race was hard and I just did my best.”

British F3