Dado on grid
Dado Pena demonstrated his potential by qualifying third in his Ambi Pur Team Goddard-Minardi Team Asia car for the first round of the Asian Formula Three Series held at the Batangas Race Circuit in the Philippines on April 10th.
Ananda Mikola and Christian Jones were the class of the field using Nissan and Neil Brown Engines respectively. John O’Hara, who set the pace last year driving a TORI Toyota car has now moved to the TOM’S Toyota team and was heard remarking that the TOM’S engine is at least half a second slower than the Nissan and Mugen. TOM’S are aware of the situation and all teams running their engines hope for a quick solution. Team Proprietor, Mark Goddard, remarked “ Last year I was the leading TOM’S driver, behind the Mugen and TORI, and I think the suggestion was that the driver was off the pace. The performance of John O’Hara at BRC I believe has vindicated me and really does demonstrate that some work is required at TOM’S to get us on the pace. We have a good relationship with TOM’S and I am sure they will work hard to give us the opportunity to be fighting for race wins”
Pena lost out a the start of race one to O’Hara but pushed him hard for third spot until a mistake whilst lining his rival for a pass saw Pena drop back into the clutches of James Winslow. Pena just held off Winslow in a photo finish to take fourth place. Mikola won from Jones.
Pena made an even worse start for the second race, too much wheel spin dropping him back into the pack. Rodolfo Avila got out of shape going into the fast “Brians” turn leaving Dado no where to go but the wall. “This race was a big jump forward for me” reported Dado “I now know I can race with the drivers like John O’Hara and this gives me confidence for Zhuhai”>
The next round is at Zhuhai on May 8th and Dado and the team hope for better luck.
