Final BMW fling for Wootton in Macau

Date posted on November 16, 2009 · Published by Mark Goddard

Driver Release: The ‘Las Vegas of the East’ – Macau – beckons for Australian Formula BMW Junior, Chris Wootton, where he will take on the final event of the 2009 Formula BMW Pacific season as part of the legendary Macau Grand Prix this weekend.

With just a single FBMW Pacific race as part of the action-packed Macau program, there is only one chance to leave a lasting impression for 2009. Wootton is aiming to use his experience around the 6.2 kilometre street circuit to his advantage.
During practice and qualifying runs, getting the maximum track time and avoiding incidents will prove critical, as will starting as close as possible to the front of the grid. Chris’ preparation has included continuing his hard work in the gym to ensure he’s in peak condition for the physical nature of the event and has also been busy with his Bachelor of Sports Science studies as the university year winds down in Australia.
The Macau circuit sees the Formula BMW competitors hit their highest top speed of the year – bouncing off the rev limiter at some 230 kilometres an hour – with Armco and concrete barriers mere inches either side.
Wootton is hoping for a phenomenal finish to a year that has shown a great deal of promise – from recording a podium and setting pole and a lap record in Sepang, to some fighting drives in the face of adversity – the Australian has literally seen all the ups and downs of motor racing.
He loves the Macau circuit and firmly believes it will work to his advantage. Other major events on the Macau card include the time-honoured Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, the World Touring Car Championship finale and motorcycle racing, among other categories.
HOW DID HE GET THROUGH THAT? CHRIS’ AMAZING ESCAPE IN JAPAN:
At the previous event of Formula BMW Pacific at Okayama in Japan, Chris was involved in one of the closest ‘near misses’ in motorsport history, being spun in front of the entire field at near on 200 kilometres an hour.
It was an absolute miracle that the other competitors got past him, leaving the Australian without so much as a scratch on his racecar. The video shows some sensational driving from the other competitors to miss Chris’ stricken racecar.
Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn_mATRzt-Q

BEHIND THE HELMET: CHRIS WOOTTON
“This is the last race of the season, so we really want to go out with a good result not just personally, but for the Eurasia Motorsport team.
“Macau is an epic race circuit – it’s a 6.2 kilometre concrete and Armco jungle, you really have to be on top of your game, otherwise you’ll come unstuck fairly large.
“Having raced at Macau last year, I think it will work in my favour, I have the experience there, but getting a clean lap in qualifying will be absolutely crucial.
“Last year I went there just after racing at Bathurst in Australia. Bathurst itself is an awesome piece of racetrack, so it was a perfect test to get me ready for Macau. It’s something incredibly different, a really enjoyable circuit.
“We hit the highest speed of the year, topping out at 230kph and to say it’s a real buzz is an understatement – it’s fantastic!”