Chris Wootton to get back on track at Sentul

 FORMULA BMW PACIFIC SEASON

Chris Wootton heads to the third event of the Formula BMW Pacific season this weekend at Indonesia’s Sentul Raceway aiming to use his experience around the 3.9 kilometre circuit to score a bag full of points – and a first Formula BMW Pacific victory that has proved elusive so far.

Currently running seventh in points, the Queenslander admits that the competition will be tough at the Indonesian circuit, however after last year, where he enjoyed a troika of podiums from the four races, he’s excited about the prospects of this weekend.

Heading to Indonesia earlier in the week, Chris will complete two days of official testing and practice before the expanded Asian Festival of Speed event kicks into top gear.

He’s itching to get back behind the wheel and race again, keeping his eye in by karting and mountain biking to maintain his peak level of fitness. Sentul has been kind to Chris – providing him with the best results of his burgeoning car racing career to date.

Adding an additional element to proceedings is the fact the circuit that hosted the Indonesian 500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix in the past has been fully resurfaced, levelling the playing field.

The aim for Chris is to set the pole position, much like the last round at Sepang, but this time go on to record his first win.

He’s chasing young Irishman Gary Thompson who leads Formula BMW Pacific by some 11 points and his Eurasia Motorsport team-mate, Axcil Jefferies – who currently sits second in points.

Between events (this one being postponed by a month due to the resurfacing), Chris has visited the BMW Sauber F1 Team factory and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. He’s also been working hard to establish his personal Supporter’s Club through www.chriswootton.com.

BEHIND THE HELMET: CHRIS WOOTTON

“Indonesia is going to be incredibly close, there’s nothing between the top runners in the Series and the circuit really produces some good racing.

“The track being resurfaced is going to close it up even more. I don’t know how the resurfacing is going to affect the outcome until I get the chance to get out there and drive on it, but we’re hoping it doesn’t change things too much.

“I’m so excited about the event, as this track has given me the most success of my career to date. Having raced there last year will really work to my advantage. I know the track, whereas many of the guys are going there for the first time.

“It’s fair to say that we have raw pace, we’ve showed that at both events. We really have to avoid other people’s incidents and convert the pace into points.

“It’s critical that I get the Championship back on track this weekend.

“There has been a huge amount of time between events, so to get behind the wheel again is going to be fantastic. I’ve tried to stay race fit by getting behind the wheel of my kart at any opportunity and use the awesome Queensland winter weather to go mountain biking.

“I’ve been working hard to get the Chris Wootton Supporter’s Club up and running – for only a dollar a day you can join at www.chriswootton.com and I’ve recently started my degree in Sports Science, so things have been really busy!

“Racing again is going to be fantastic and with the fourth event at the Singapore Grand Prix – I hope we can really build momentum toward that event.”



- Matt Payne-