September 14, 2012
Published on tags: Formula Challenge
Optimum Motorsport joined GPVWC and more specifically, the Formula Challenge series in search for a new community to race at. This was the teams' first adventure into Open Wheel Racing and it was at the Irish Track of Mondello Park. Bradley Vanian and Alejandro Fernandez drove for the team and set good consistant times during practice. The qualifying session for the Feature Race was very tough and Alejandro struggled, placing himself near the back. However a Personal Best from Bradley rocketed him up to the midfield.

As the formation lap crawled to a finish and the cars lined up on the grid, both drivers were fully focused on the race ahead. Both got lightning starts, moving Bradley up into the Top 10 and Alejandro into a points paying position. As the race went on, Alejandro found himself gaining places while his rivals made race destroying mistakes and a similar situation covered Bradley's race. Bradley was defending for his life as drivers went all over the track and all off the track to overtake. As the pitstops loomed in, Bradley's tyres became thinner and thinner and due to a fuel miscalculation, himself and Alejandro had to pit a few laps earlier than intended.

Both drivers had clean stops and were both in the points. Bradley moved into 9th as other drivers had damage and Alejandro had silently crept into 11th position and was rapidly closing in on a Top 10 Finish. Sadly for Ale, he was unable to get that Top 10 Finish however 11th position was more than pleasing for the young spaniard who finished 2 places behind Bradley who was ecstatic with the team result.

The Sprint Race featured a reversed grid which allowed both drivers to start in the top half of the field. Both drivers had good starts however both got bulked at Turn 1, being forced to the slower route around the opening turn. Alejandro was able to keep with the big boys for a few laps until a gearbox problem cost him time. In the same lap, Bradley Vanian got loose on a kerb causing him to spin and this put both drivers around the cusp of points.

Both drivers were very close to eachother and after some great racing, a slight tap caused Bradley to drop out of the points. In the end, Alejandro finished 14th bagging himself 2 more points but Bradley was 1 place away from gaining points.