Atech Reid GP Celebrate Double Podium
Atech Reid GP secured double podium glory at Thruxton on Sunday, after Tio Ellinas notched up his sixth consecutive podium in 2011.
It was a good weekend all-round for the Cardiff-based crew, with Oscar King taking third in the Graduate Cup and Atech Reid GP new boy Dan Wells impressing on his first weekend with the team, taking eight place.
In qualifying, all Atech Reid GP drivers showed good pace with Ellinas leading the trio taking third place in qualifying one. Dan Wells managed an impressive ninth place and king took a strong 11th. Qualifying two was a different story as Ellinas could only manage seventh place, with King and Wells in 11th and 12th respectively.
Ellinas avoided a three-car collision during race two, moving up to fifth in the process before picking off three more places to finish second and maintain the lead of the championship.
“I’m very happy to have got second, after our qualifying problems I certainly didn’t expect to win but second is good for the championship.
“I didn’t make the best of starts but managed to avoid the collision on lap one to gain two places. Then I just did my best to try and close down the gap, passing Oliver Rowland for third and then Jordan King when he outbraked himself to move into second. I’m pleased to be leading the championship and very much looking forward to Oulton Park.”
King managed his best driver of the year at Thruxton, showing good pace throughout the weekend. King also avoided first lap shenanigans to move up to sixth place on the opening lap and at one point managed to be as high as fifth place before a mistake at the chicane caused an excursion which damaged the floor of his car.
“Overall I’m pretty happy really, I had a good start and things were going really well. I was holding my own and got up to fifth place battling with Gilbert and Rowland. We came into the chicane on lap seven and I was bundled over the kerbs, which damaged the rear floor.
“The car was very unpredictable after that with a lot of oversteer. Otherwise though, I was pleased with my start and my pace up to that point so I’m looking forward to the next rounds.”
Dan Wells completed his first weekend with Atech Reid GP after his move from Antel Motorsport. Wells made strong starts in both races and posted competitive times all weekend, as well as pulling off some impressive overtakes. At the start of race two, Wells was caught up in the first lap melee, and fought back to finish eight.
“It was quite a good day, not such a good start as yesterday but I managed to avoid the collision at the Complex on lap one. I was well positioned to pass Mitch Gilbert and Oliver Millroy but was forced into the gravel so lost the chance to take those places.
“After that it was pretty close, running in a five-car train, but I simply ran out of laps. I learnt from yesterday’s race how to change my driving style with the tyre degradation so as not to lose too much time and was running consistently just off the leaders’ pace. All round a pretty good debut weekend with Atech Reid and I’m pleased with the whole team.”
Team Principal David Hayle was happy with the overall results from the weekend.
“I’m very happy with the results today. Tio drove exceptionally well to take second from seventh on the grid to maintain his championship lead.
“Oscar drove very well to get up to fifth, his pace in yesterday’s second qualifying showed he’d be a front runner, so it’s disappointing for him not to get the result he deserved.
“While Dan drove another sensible race, in only his first weekend with us, with lots to learn in very little time.”
Mike Trusler
