For release: May 29, 2005

STAR-SPANGLED DAY FOR JOE AT THRUXTON

BRENTWOOD, May 29, 2005: American ace Joe D'Agostino staged a virtuoso display at Thruxton, Britain's fastest circuit, today (Sunday) to claim twin wins in the UK Formula Ford Championship. The 20-year-old from Florida led both races from pole position to chequered flag, and posted fastest lap in each, to take a maximum haul of points from the weekend.

In so doing the Brackley resident more than halved the points advantage enjoyed by championship leader Charlie Donnelly - who had to settle for third in both Thruxton races - and set the scene for a thrilling second half of the season for the Ford-backed championship.

D'Agostino's victories came on top of a double victory in the British Formula 3 Championship races at Thruxton for his fellow countryman and UK Formula Ford Championship graduate Charlie Kimball. "It's been a star-spangled weekend," said a jubilant Joe.

D'Agostino put in a perfect performance in the first of the Thruxton thrillers, leading from the off in his Team JLR Van Diemen. Joe was half-a-second quicker in qualifying than his nearest rival, West Ewell's Duncan Tappy, and maintained that edge throughout the 16-lap race.

Inevitably it was the Jamun Racing Mygales of Tappy and Dublin-based Donnelly who kept D'Agostino honest. Charlie charged around the opening three laps right on Joe's tail until Tappy powered past him up Woodham Hill to snatch second.

But Tappy was also powerless to reel in the flying American, who by mid distance had extended his advantage to two seconds. Said Joe: "I wasn't sure whether they would be able to pull me in or not so I put my head down and concentrated on pulling a gap." D'Agostino was three seconds clear of Tappy at the flag to record his fifth race win of the season.

Tappy was pleased with his sixth podium visit of the year, but Donnelly - who was a further three seconds adrift - was downcast: "We just didn't have the pace… It's been a bad day, but we've still taken third, so it's not all bad I guess."

Robert Sunderland (Yatton Keynell) and Steve Roberts (Whitchurch) staged an entertaining race-long battle for fourth, the latter putting in his best lap of the race on the final tour and just failing to nick back the position by a tenth of a second at the finish line. Roberts was the clear Scholarship Class victor.

Team JLR running mates Thor-Christian Ebbesvik (Norway) and Jonny Baker (Farnham Common) were also engaged in battle for the duration, Baker staging an audacious move around the outside at the chicane on the 12th lap to snatch sixth, only to fall back behind the Scandinavian on the following lap. Sarah Playfair was the eighth and final finisher, the East Lothian lass delayed by a couple of spins.

Race two provided an almost identical scenario, with D'Agostino pulling into the lead once more from the pole and easing away from his pursuers to win by 4.4 seconds. "I had a great car today and JLR is a great team," said Joe.

His getaway was aided by a furious scrap for second between Tappy and Donnelly. On almost every lap the team-mates passed and repassed each other, the favoured overtaking spot usually the notoriously tricky Club chicane. The battle wasn't settled until the final corner, Tappy feinting to the outside and then diving down Donnelly's inside with a masterly manoeuvre. Charlie tried to fight back on the dash for the finish line but Duncan held on in front - by all of 0.96s - to take the runner-up slot. Said modest Tappy: "It was just a case of getting a good tow and then making the move."

Added Donnelly: "Today was all about damage limitation. Joe's car was simply better, but we will have our day again…"

Once again it was a Sunderland v Roberts duel for fourth place, Roberts holding sway for several of the early laps until he put a wheel on to the grass at Church and lost time. Roberts held on for fifth and Scholarship Class victory, with Ebbesvik claiming sixth. Showing much-improved pace, Playfair snatched seventh from Baker seven laps from home.

After a month's break the UK Formula Ford Championship returns at the Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire, where grid numbers will be swelled by competitors from the Avon Tyres Clubmans Formula Ford Championship.

For further media information: Please contact Nick Carter at Max Communications on 01530 563200 or nick.carter@maxcomms.com

Championship website: www.ukformulaford.co.uk

MAP OF UK TRACK LOCATIONS & LINKS Thruxton Grand Prix Circuit Length 2.356 Miles / 3.791 km Direction Clockwise