November 18, 2007
Published on tags: Megane Trophy
Bacardi Stealth Renault crossed the line with a podium finish for the third time in the 2007 season, thanks to a brilliant drive to third place by David Brown. The Englishman edged Woods Racing's Mark Wicks by 12 seconds and RTT's Bernhard Boesch by 22 seconds in an exciting battle for the final podium position.

Andy Graydon, in his third race for the team, started strong from 11th on the grid but was punted off the track by a rival car, ending his race after 12 laps. There were promising moments though and signs of greater things to come, with still two races left in the year.

With the result, David Brown reaches 37 points on the year, good for 5th place in the Drivers Championship, clear of the idle Ivan Cantero and Kieran Ryan. The race is on for 4th place in the championship, as Brown is just 5 points behind JPR's Alex Stoica. Meanwhile, he is 9 points ahead of RTT's Boesch.

Stealth also pass KOT for a clear 5th in the Constructors Championship on 40 points. A further close battle with JPR will ensue in China and Brazil, as the rivals are just 2 points apart for 4th.

"It is our third podium of the year, after being held to only 4th places last year, but we certainly see the strength in this result, our first podium on merit since Stealth's return to the F1VWC in 2006," said Team Principal Ted Cragg. "It really demonstrates the strides we have made this year, when we faced quite a challenge living up to our results of last season," he said.

Cragg was speaking from Liverpool, where he and Brown had returned to strategize for next week's Chinese Grand Prix. "Jet lag is a concern but we felt it was worth the long trek for the chance to discuss our plans in person," he said. "I hope to do the same with Andy in Australia as soon as possible."

"This result has boosted my chances of improving on last season's finish, which I hadn't imagined possible until recently, so it really gives us a push into the final two races," said David Brown. "I was quite confident going into the race, I had a good feeling about it and it's nice for it to work out in such a positive way, especially as it is a podium based on raw speed and merit," he said.

With China bringing more changeable weather, it promises to be another wide open race, with crucial points available. In a season that has seen the championship battle nullified due to well-deserved disqualifications, Stealth is excited and proud to be front and centre in the last remaining battle of the 2007 season.