2004-05-17
// Hockenheim
Round’s 7 & 8
A
weekend of mixed fortune awaited ‘Dunlop Motorsport
Ireland Young Driver of the Year’ Eoin Murray in Hockenheim
this weekend in rounds 7 & 8 of the European Alfa Challenge.
Qualifying on pole by a margin of .67, for round 7, the
Young Irish driver, with backing from Alfa Romeo Ireland
and GaryAron Homes had high hopes for the race. A collision
between Nino Campani and Rory Bertram at the start sent
the Dutch driver spinning across the track and despite an
avoiding manoeuvre Eoin made contact putting both himself
and Bertram out of the race. Murray managed to limp back
to the pits but a bent steering as a result of the crash
made rejoining impossible.
Round 8 of the weekend double header, on Sunday morning,
had Murray starting from 21st position on the grid. He had
to use all of his undoubted pace to work his way through
the field. Coping with a niggling vibration and brake imbalance
in the car he managed to attach himself to the leading group
of five cars by the last lap. There then ensued a titanic
battle for position as Murray picked up another two spots
by the chequered flag to claim the third spot on the podium
at the finish.
Speaking afterwards Eoin said ‘’ The team have
pulled together to do a fantastic job this weekend. I am
disappointed with the result yesterday however today’s
result, from so far back, is very satisfying and I hope
we can keep up the momentum for the rest of the season’’.
|