Arden frontrunner Darren Manning has renewed his hopes of a win during the F3000 series after a successful 2-day test session in Hockenheim, where he achieved third  fastest overall. 

The official F3000 test session followed the last round of racing at Monaco, where Manning qualified in third place.

The next round, at the Nurburgring track in Germany, will be held on 23^rd June.  Manning has likened the circuit to Imola, mainly because of its low track grip, but hopes he can repeat his success at the Italian race. 

“I gained a podium finish at Imola, coming in second,” said the 25-year-old Yorkshireman.  

“I raced at the Nurburgring track last year, and it was quite slippery, but my success at Hockenheim, where I was third quickest, bodes well for a repeat performance of Imola.

“It’s not been the most successful of seasons for me in F3000, but I think the last race at Monaco, where I qualified in third, demonstrated great improvements both in my performance and that of the car, and hopefully was the start of things to come.” 

Darren will travel out to Germany on Thursday, in time for qualifying on Friday and racing on Saturday. 

The Nurburgring track provides modern and efficient facilities – but compared to the old 14 mile track, from which the current one evolved, it has been dubbed as ‘clinical and soulless’. 

The old circuit was fast and dangerous, and was the scene of Niki Lauda’s accident, which led to it being omitted from the F1 calendar.  The current track staged its first Grand Prix in 1984, but found itself in the wilderness again until 1995, when it re-gained its popularity due to the rise of Michael Schumacher. 

Although relatively insignificant in comparison with the Nordschlieffe circuit, many of the drivers like the new Nurburgring.  With its variety of corners and straights, it’s an interesting drive, whilst allowing a rhythm to be built up.

The main problem at this track is the weather, which is usually unpredictable.  Passing opportunities aren’t scarce, with the Sachskurve and the Veedol-Kurve being the best places to take a chance. 

After the race at Nurburgring, Manning’s next race takes him to France on June 30^th, whilst his F1 testing commitments with BAR-Honda means his next test for them will be at Monza on 4^th July. 

ENDS