Ginetta Junior race-winner Will Palmer and Protyre Formula Renault front-runners Jake Cook and Piers Hickin were amongst a group of racers testing BRDC Formula 4 machinery at Snetterton yesterday (22nd October).
Twelve young drivers, many straight from karting, were invited to the Norfolk-based circuit to try out the cars free of charge, with the series organisers hoping it may lead to entries for the forthcoming Winter Series or the 2014 season.
Palmer and Cook ran alongside Jack Partridge with Hillspeed, while Hickin was joined at Chris Dittmann Racing by Ben Hingeley. Champions Lanan Racing ran Danny Keirle and Harry Webb, Brett Ward and Joseph Mawson drove for MGR Motorsport, George Russell and Oliver Hodgson for Sean Walkinshaw Racing, and Jake Walker with KBS.
“It’s a really good car to drive and really easy to learn immediately, even in the wet which gives you a lot of confidence quickly. This is the series I’m looking at now for the Winter Championship and 2014,” said Cook.
Hickin noted: “It was great fun, the track conditions made things interesting but it’s been a really enjoyable and useful day.”
“I loved it,” exclaimed 2012 TKM Super 1 Champion Jack Partridge. “It’s a great car with plenty of grip and I’ve loved every minute and made good progress throughout the day. It’s an easy transition from karts to cars and it’s not as daunting as everyone thinks it is!”
“A very exciting experience,” added 2013 Senior Rotax Max Kart Masters champion Hodgson. “The car has an unbelievable amount of grip and it encourages you to keep pushing and gives you confidence and trust in the car. In the wet the car was more forgiving than I thought and really enjoyable to drive.”