Bradshaw races to a big victory
1:10pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in Sport By Norman Hayes
MOTOR SPORT: Bolton racer Tom Bradshaw has been warming up for his forthcoming onslaught on the Porsche Carrera Cup by blazing to victory in the Gulf Sport Race at the new Abhu Dhabi Formula One circuit.
The 20-year-old former Turton High School pupil was behind the wheel of the British-built Juno sports car which he drove for the first time in the practice session before qualifying the car second on the grid, missing pole by 0.1 seconds.
Bradshaw was quickly away from the start but was hit from behind by a fellow competitor and was eliminated.
The car was repaired for the second race and Bradshaw had to start from 17th place, but he carved his way through the field and took the lead on lap nine of the 11-lap contest and held on to seal the win.
Bradshaw produced the fastest lap of the race with an average speed of 98mph.
The youngster then went on to race another English-built Radica sports car at a club-type circuit in Dubai.
He started the race from fifth on the grid, but half way through the race the rear wing collapsed and Bradshaw was force to retire.
Bradshaw’s Porsche campaign starts at the Thruxton circuit in Hampshire on the weekend of April 3 and 4 and he will be keen to get a good start after finishing a creditable eighth in his debut season in the competition last year.
Last year, he was part of the Team Parker Racing, alongside eventual champion Tim Bridgman, after winning a one-year Porsche scholarship, but this season he has had to find new sponsorship to secure his seat in the Jamie Hunter Racing team.
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