Formula BMW UK - Rounds 5 & 6 - Qualifying

Thruxton - Rounds 5 & 6 - 5 May 2007 - Qualifying.

Arundel and Surtees claim their first poles of the year at Thruxton.

Thruxton, 05 May, 2007. Henry Arundel (Fortec Motorsport) and Henry Surtees
(Carlin Motorsport) claimed their first ever Formula BMW UK Championship pole
positions, following this season's trend of a new polesitter for every round so
far this year.

Fortec Motorsport proved the perfect tacticians in qualifying for Round Five
with three of their drivers working together to claim the top three grid spots.
The advantage of gaining a tow round the long back section of the Hampshire
circuit made for two thrilling sessions leading up to the first race of the
weekend later this evening.

Carlin Motorsport managed to gain the advantage for Round Six, after a red flag
temporarily halted procedures, scoring the first all-Carlin front row of 2007.
Surtees and Oliver Webb put in impressive drives to gain their best starting
positions of the year for the race tomorrow. "It's great for the team to break
Fortec's run of poles," Surtees commented, "It's very open at the front with
six different drivers on pole in six races and I'll have to work hard to
convert my pole into a win as there's a lot of overtaking that can be done
round here. I'll be aiming to get away and break the tow."

Webb was pleased with his second place: "I thought I might have done enough to
keep pole but Surtees just pipped me," Webb smiled. "I'm still happy to be on
the front row, though, and second is a good place to be because there's no
slipstream to use when you're leading. I've not been on the podium yet so I'm
hoping my first visit will be to the top step!"
A delighted Arundel, who will start Round Five from pole and Round Six in
third, said: "I'm pleased to have my first pole position because I've been so
close to it all year; it's a big psychological boost to see your name at the
top of the list. I am frustrated that we didn't make the most of our potential
and get the second pole as well, but the damage is minimal because I'm still in
a position to win both races and that's what counts!"

Daniel McKenzie (Fortec Motorsport) claimed his first front row start with
Rookie and Championship leader, Marcus Ericsson (Fortec Motorsport) rounding
out the top spots for Round Five.

The Rookies were once again challenging at the front, with Ericsson, Webb and
Surtees finishing top three in class for Round Five, the trio then reverse
their order for Round Six.
With two new faces on pole and only a fraction of a second between the
front-runners, the day could produce yet another new winner in the Formula BMW
UK Championship 2007.
Results - Qualifying Round 5.