UGOCHUCKWU EXCELS IN OULTON PARK
A great start to the 2024 European season for Ugo Ugochukwu as he shines at a very rainy Oulton Park at the first round of the GB3 Championship.
The young gun completed a brilliant weekend with two podiums and a fastest lap, proving he not only can take home brilliant results on a dry, sunny weekend, but also makes his way through the harshest of conditions out there.
Joining the British championship to refine his skills in the typical ‘English weather’, the 16-year old surely got what he was looking for. Three days of intermittent rain welcomed the grid of the GB3 and GB4 championship, making the outcome of each race all but unpredictable. This did not stop the American, who drove an impressive qualifying session, earning a solid P3 start in the first race, and a P4 start for the second.
A sunny Race 1 saw the Rodin driver start from the second row, immediately setting his eyes on the top spot of the grid. With the first two drivers showing some serious pace, and ambitious Xje pushing for P3, Ugochukwu put to use of his experience to fight for his position and eventually gain some advantage on the driver behind, closing the gap with the two leaders of the race. Despite making up a lot of ground, the McLaren junior had to settle for P3 in the first race, although scoring a brilliant podium on debut.
“It’s still early days in the car, we’re still improving each time we drive. Obviously the goal is to fight for the wins, but considering how to pace was, I’m confident heading into the next few races” stated the GB3 rookie at the end of the first race.
The British weather then came out to show his true colours just in time for Race 2, with an intense rain hitting the track, making it barely possible for the drivers to see metres ahead. With the massive spray coming out of the back of the single seaters, a close battle amongst the young drivers was hard to expect. With the Safety Cars leading the pack at the start of the race, Ugochukwu was pushing to get a podium from a P4 start, but due to the heavy conditions, overtaking was a very tough mission to take on. The driver in Car 31 eventually finished the race in P4, ready to chase down another podium in the final race of the weekend.
Starting the final race in a suboptimal P10 on the grid, the New Yorker was aware a solid start would have gifted him a good chance to charge ahead and make his way up the field. With one of the ‘best starts of his life’, the young gun left P10, moved to the center of the track and stormed his way up to P5 before even hitting Turn 1. Putting in exemplary moves on the wet, he then proceeded to push up to P4, and eventually finished the race in P3, as the former leader of the race encountered mechanical issues in the last lap. Once again a great example of determination and character for Ugochukwu, proving his worth even in the harshest conditions. Relive the thrill of last weekend’s races, by checking out the GB3 Championship’s YouTube Channel Streams.
