Bangkok--25 Sep--sandystuvik.com
The Dutch Trophy of the Dunes races held at the historic Zandvoort Circuit turned out to be quite an eventful race weekend. The track is located just 200 meters from the beaches of the North Sea, so rain and strong winds would be part of the package. Again Sandy worked closely with his racing coach, former F1 Red Bull test driver Neel Jani, who would provide the up and coming Thai racer with valuable experience from the track.
For Sandy it would be a challenging start to the race weekend, as coming to this track for the first time, he would need as much running time as possible. Instead the first free practice session was lost due to an electronic gearbox problem and it would be catch up from there on.
During the first of the 2 qualification runs, Sandy was hampered by 2 successive red flags on his first fast laps, but he still managed a P11. A different set up was tried for the second quali, but this time the Thai driver could only manage a 13th position.
Race 1 of the 3 for the weekend got off with a very good start, but with the cars coming 3 wide into turn 1, Sandy backed off to avoid car damage and dropped a place. By lap 2 he would be back up to his starting position and started chasing forward. However, the damp track with a single dry line was a challenge and he would finish the race where he started in 11th position.
Race 2 started with a new set up and hopes for a much better running under a sunny sky, the first glimpse of sun this weekend. Sandy again had a very good start and moved up a place as he raced down the start straight. Then coming into the breaking area a car in front was pushed into the wall, spun around and flew directly into Sandy car. Sustaining only minor damage to the front wing, he took avoiding action onto the grass, but was unable to stop the car before the turn and got stuck in the soft gravel area.
The third race of the weekend started at Sunday noon and for the first time this weekend with a completely dry track. Sandy had a good start and immediately started pushing forward gaining one position on the first lap. Having started the race on new tires saved from Friday’s practice session, he needed 2 laps to get the tires up to temperature and take the advantage of the extra new tire grip. However already after 2 laps two cars got together in the back of the grid and the Safety Car was called out. Sandy and the remaining cars got on their way after the first safety car safely, only to see another dramatic accident a lap later, where 3 cars in the back came together causing massive damage. Another long safety car session would ensue, due to ambulance on track and a driver sent to hospital for medical check up. By this time 70% of the allotted race time had been reached, so race control opted to red flag and end the race. Sandy finished in 10th place.
The final race of the 2012 season will run at the famous Spa Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium during 13-14 October. Sandy has previously both tested and raced at Spa and is looking forward to again be racing at this awe inspiring circuit.
Sandy Nicholas Stuvik races for the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand and is sponsored by The Pizza Company, Singha Corporation, Dacon Inspection Services and Sports Authority of Thailand.
Formula Renault Northern European Cup 2012 schedule http://www.necup.com/
Events:
19/22 April Hockenheim- Germany
21/23 June Nurburgring- Germany
5/8 July Oschersleben- Germany
2/5 August Assen - Netherland
23/26 August Red Bull A1 Ring- Austria
30 August - 2 September Most- Czech Republic
20/23 September Zandvoort- Netherland
11 /14 October Spa — Francorchamps - Belgium