Renault UK: McIntosh raring to return at Croft

By Stuart Morrison Public Relations

Vancouver, Canada (July 12, 2005) Canada’s Sean McIntosh resumes his 2005 title challenge this weekend, 16th-17th July, as the Formula Renault UK Championship heads to Darlington, North Yorkshire for Rounds 9 and 10. The double-header, hosted on the 2.25-mile Croft circuit, marks the half-way stage of the 20-race calendar with Sean looking to carry the momentum of his podium finish at Oulton Park last time out into Sunday’s races and into the second half of season.

The 20-year-old Vancouver native, currently the only young Canadian competing in open-wheel racing in Europe, has proved to be a model of consistency in qualifying this year and McIntosh is looking to continue his season-long streak of top-five starts when he returns to action at the weekend.

In addition to his impressive qualifying form, consistent finishes have allowed the Team Firstair racer and reigning “Graduate Cup”™ Champion to battle for title honors. Sean currently sits third overall in the title chase just five points from second place and with dropped scores still to come into play, the Donington Park winner remains firmly in the hunt for the championship.

Having taken advantage of another generous gap in the race schedule to jet back to Canada, where he celebrated Canada Day on the 1st of July, Sean returned to England at the start of the week to prepare for this weekend’s event.

Looking ahead he commented:

”I’m quite excited to be getting back into the swing of things at Croft. It was great to head into the break with our top-five qualifying run intact and a podium finish at Oulton. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off and get back up and challenge for more wins.”

”We’re testing on Thursday and there are a few things we’re looking to try out. If all goes to plan we’ll hopefully be looking good for Saturday and Sunday. Croft certainly isn’t a glamorous circuit; it’s probably one of the most technical tracks on the schedule. There’s a good blend of high and low speed turns, it’s not easy to drive by any means but I’ll be giving it my all as usual!”

The Formula Renault UK Championship accompanies the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship using a double-header format over ten race weekends across Britain’s major race venues. Live timing from this weekend’s races, 16th-17th July, can be found online at: www.msttiming.com.