The rain in Spain doesn't stop Butcher

William Ponissi

April 10, 2018

Championship leader Chris Butcher and Colombian Osvaldo Angelone claimed victories in a soaked Spanish Grand Prix as the Formula Challenge championship returned to action.

Anyone wishing to use some sun cream in sunny Barcelona would have had every right to be disappointed as the latest round of Formula Challenge produced a very wet affair - with familiar names finishing on top.

As the first rain drops began to fall at the end of practice, the field prepared for a wet qualifying - but the amount of rainfall surprised and caught out many drivers. Both Red Arrow cars were among the first to go out, splitting their tyre strategy with Butcher on Inters and David Jundt on full wets. Butcher and Luke Maguire were the first to set laps - just as the rain started to intensify, meaning their times were not to be bested.

Due to the Shift Gear driver's back-of-the-grid penalty, it was a Red Arrow 1-2 with Wesley Stefano in third. Race One was a fairly chaotic affair - the drying track catching out those drivers who came in for dry tyres too early. Angelone, starting in fourth, managed his tyres to perfection to claim another win for McKinlay, seven seconds ahead of the Butcher/Jundt duo.

Race two was marred by a pile-up on the opening lap. Butcher, emerging unscathed, ran away at the front and remained unchallenged for the rest of the race, also due to the battle that erupted behind him as Jundt, Michal Galka and Chris Shepherd diced for second. The Swiss driver got the best of it, followed by Shepherd and Galka, who hung to fourth despite his failing tyres.

A double podium helps Butcher extend his championship lead, now 37 points over Shepherd. Jundt overtakes Angelone in thrid place, whereas in the teams Red Arrow Racing are widening their gap over STAX - the gap is now 63 points - with Royal Blue a good third.

Full results: HERE

Re-live the action:

The rain in Spain doesn't stop Butcher

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