Dado Pena, racing for Team Goddard Minardi Team Asia, proved his podium finish in the earlier Asian Formula Three Series event held in China was no fluke by taking a double podium at the Sentul International Circuit in Indonesia.
Pena had been near the top of the time sheets throughout race week practice but slumped to fifth on the grid in qualifying. “Too many mistakes” reflected a disappointed Pena. However he shot past slow starting fellow Filipino, Tyson Sy, at the start and chased home James Winslow and John O’Hara to finish in third place. Few spectators were aware of the drama before the race when Pena burnt out the clutch on his car whilst practicing starts in the pre-race warm up. The team were forced to change the clutch in a little under an hour and they just made it before the grid closed for the start. “Team Goddard Minardi Team Asia did a fantastic job to replace the clutch so quickly and the car ran perfectly in the race” said Pena.
The second and final race of the day saw the first three finishers of the first pull away from the field until the heavens opened and the race was stopped to allow teams to change the tyres from treadles slick tires to wet weather tires. Winslow and O’Hara were unable to take the start as they had spun out into the gravel traps before the race was stopped. Pena therefore started the re-started race from pole position but lost the lead to local hero, Indonesian Ananda Mikola, on the first lap. Pena, Sy and Macanese driver were left to dice for second place, these three entertaining the crowd with plenty of place changes. Sy managed to pull a gap on Pena and Avila and that’s how they finished.
Pena and Sy are now tied for second place in the Championship and they return to Sentul on September 18th to resume their personal battle. “Dado is still improving with every race. At the first race of the year we would have been really happy with a podium finish but now he has been on the second and third steps of the podium only a race win will satisfy us. Once Dado has won a race I am sure it will open the flood gates for more wins.” Reported Team Boss, Mark Goddard.
Team Goddard Minardi Team Asia is supported by www.pldtmypad.com and recommends Speedzone Karting to start your racing career.
