Buri takes on the Formula Ford Festival

Just one week after the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain concluded at Silverstone championship regular Antti Buri headed straight for Brands Hatch, to tackle the prestigious Formula Ford Festival.

With high hopes for the tough challenge ahead, Antti enjoyed tense battles with 2011 British Formula Ford Champion Scott Malvern, as he strived for Festival glory.

As the build up to the event got underway testing showed it would be a difficult weekend for the Mygale SJ11 pilot. A broken gearbox awaited Antti and the team as they prepared for the first test session, which resulted in a lost day on track. However with some of the mechanics’ best skills on the case Antti was out on track to demonstrate good pace the next day.

The arrival of qualifying saw Antti return to the front of the field, with a second place start for the Heat. A sprint style race of just 12 laps made for an exciting battle around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit, as drama struck again.

As he toured the circuit in second place, a stuck throttle sent Antti tumbling off the track before rejoining in third. Despite his pace time ran out, however Antti recovered to seal a strong third place.

Onto the Quarter Final, Antti lined up third on the grid. As the race unfolded, Antti toured in the wheel tracks of Malvern, as the pair edged out a substantial gap to their pursuers. Unable to snatch victory, he settled in second place.

The Semi-Final demonstrated a battle not only between Antti and his rivals, but also Antti and his tyres. A good start launched him into the lead of the race, until new tyres failed to agree with his single-seater. Second place again awaited the Finnish racing ace, as the all important Final edged ever closer.

Faced with the difficult decision of whether to run with old or new tyres, the Final was always going to be a tricky affair. After selecting new tyres, Antti lined his Formula Ford up on the grid, as the Final got underway.

It was soon clear the tyres presented him with a disadvantage, however despite his woes Antti made it to the chequered flag, in fifth place.

“It was a very frustrating weekend,” admitted Antti. “It started badly with our gearbox problems, but seemed to get better for a while. We were definitely on the pace of the others and enjoyed some really good battles with Scott.

“The speed was strong and there was no physical damage to the car all weekend, we kept out of trouble, so that is a bonus,” he added.

Now faced with the off-season break Antti will be working out his next step, with his 2012 plans announced in due course.

For more information, please contact:

PR: Leanne Fahy

Tel: 07530 084953

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Photography: Jonathan Hatfield

Tel: 07749 955382

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