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Radical West Takes On Spa

9th May 2010

Two of Radical USA’s fastest drivers went head-to-head with the cream of European Radical drivers at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, competing in the first round of the 2010 Shell Racing Solutions Radical Masters.

Tim Day and ‘Dyno’ Don Simons shared an SR3 RS, running with the Radical Works Team, as their prize for previous Radical Championship success in America. The undulating, high-speed nature of Spa made a real difference from the more technical, tighter Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, the home of Radical West USA.

The pair were immediately on the pace, tenth in first practice, and qualified 29th for Race 1. Tim started and drove a clean, consistent first stint, avoiding the tight traffic at the La Source hairpin on lap one. A rapid, fault-free pit-stop put Don in the perfect position to finish the race, a fantastic 17th overall and eighth in class.

“It’s been a great experience coming to Spa, I first visited in 2008 but didn’t go too well, so I felt I had some unfinished business,” said Tim. “It’s been a first-class weekend; we had instruction from Ian Flux here in the wet midweek, which was ideal practice for Friday and Saturday morning. People revere Spa in the USA; I’ve had loads of texts from friend back home pushing me to take Eau Rouge flat! The team dynamic is very different from the USA, normally Don is my rival, so that’s been good too. In all, it’s been an incredible weekend.”

“Spa is a spectacular and challenging track,” added Don, “and the Radical Works Team have been really professional in supporting us. It’s very different driving as part of a team; you hav e to learn how your co-driver affects and changes the balance of a car during the race; I’ve had to think a lot faster.”