Stephens Finishes Second, Dickerson Fourth in Formula Ford Festival Heat Races

Written by Team USA. Posted in Feature, Team USA News

Published on October 24, 2015 with No Comments

WEST KINGSDOWN, England – Michai Stephens and Dakota Dickerson produced impressive performances in tricky conditions during today’s Heat races for the 44th Formula Ford Festival to qualify comfortably for the next round of competition tomorrow (Sunday) morning.

Both Team USA Scholarship drivers qualified fifth for their respective Heat races in dry conditions. Stephens lined up behind no fewer than three former Festival winners but lost no time in moving his way forward after rain had begun falling as the cars lined up on the pre-grid. A fine start saw him into fourth at the first corner. Stephens then made an impressive pass on 2013 Festival champion Niall Murray, braking deep on the inside line into Paddock Hill Bend on Lap Two to move up to third, where he remained until Lap 11 when he took advantage of a mistake by Luke Williams at Paddock Hill Bend to grasp second.

Stephens is interviewed by veteran Brands Hatch announcer Brian Jones on the podium.

Stephens, who took part in his very first race only in May 2014, finished the 12-lap event 4.7 seconds behind Wayne Boyd, who won the 2008 Formula Ford Festival and added the Walter Hayes Trophy to his mantle in 2014.

“We managed to land P5 after a cutthroat qualifying session this morning – not bad but in need of some improvement,” noted Stephens. “Heading into our Heat race we had anticipated dry conditions, but that soon was thrown out the window in the true spirit of English motorsport! The skies opened up as we sat in pre-grid and the Cliff Dempsey Racing team did a fantastic job adapting the car’s setup. With a strong shot off the line I settled into P3, and maintaining a cool head got me into P2 by the end which made for an awesome ending to the day.”

Dickerson also made a good start in Heat Two to move up one position before the first corner, only to be repassed by Jake Byrne before the end of the opening lap. Dickerson settled into fifth, which he maintained after a mid-race interlude behind the Safety Car. His prayers were answered when Stuart Gough made a mistake directly in front of him on Lap 11 at the Druid’s hairpin, after which Dickerson put his head down to post the second fastest lap of the race en route to a fourth-place finish behind Stephen Daly, Joey Foster and Byrne.

Dickerson at speed in qualifying (Jack Mitchell/JAM Motorsport Photography)

“After a good qualifying effort to put us into P5 I felt ready to go for the race,” said Dickerson. “I knew the racing would be a little different but was ready to go. An hour prior to our race the skies opened up and brought down the rain. I was very excited as we were very quick in the wet throughout testing. I managed to get a good start – my first-ever standing start! – up to fourth place but lost it later that lap only to make up the spot again by the checkered flag. Overall I learned a lot, am in a great starting position for tomorrow’s race, and expect a very strong result!”

Dickerson will start fourth for the second of three Semi Final races, which will commence at 10:55 a.m., while Stephens will line up on the outside of the front row for Semi Final Three, which is set for 11:25. The green flag for the Final is slated for 3:55 p.m. All races will feature live timing at http://tsl-timing.com/event/154331. Please note that British Summer Time ends tonight.

About Team USA Scholarship:
The program has been providing opportunities for talented American race car drivers at an early stage in their careers since 1990. Supporters include Doug Mockett & Company, the Road Racing Drivers Club and SAFEisFAST.com, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Team Penske, Mazda, Chip Ganassi Racing, Basecamp.com, Afterburner Autosport, Honda Performance Development, Robertson Racing, Masters HGP, Allen Berg Racing Schools, CXC Simulations, Auto Club Speedway, Ellis Clowes North America, PitFit Training, RaceCraft1, Sparco USA, RACER Magazine, Speedstar Management, Styled Aesthetic and Manifest Group.

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