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Dixon grabs fourth place after puncture robs him of first podium finish - 20th July, 08

Kent based racing star James Dixon took a sensational fourth place finish in the second of two races at the latest round of the BARC Formula Renault Championship at Croft in North Yorkshire on Sunday.

The Candy Carriers backed driver started his fourth ever car meeting in good form, setting the unofficial second fastest time in the free practice session on Friday. However, in qualifying on Saturday a change in the weather conditions made the circuit a little more tricky combined with 3 red flags in the session curtailed the opportunities to gain a higher position than 5th place for the races.

At the start of the first race James made a sensational getaway and set about moving his way up through the field. On Lap 9 he made a superb pass to move from fourth to second in just two corners with only 5 laps until the finish, James looked strong for his first podium finish. Not giving up one of his opponents careered into the back of James’ car using him as a brake forcing James wide and in the process puncturing his rear tyre.

After completing a very slow lap back to the pits James rejoined but could only manage 17th place.

A fired up Dixon was determined to go for a top result in the second race and as the lights went out he got another fantastic start, moving himself up to third place by the end of the opening lap.

As the cars had lined up on the grid, the heavens had opened and the changing conditions made it hard work for the 18 year-old and he dropped back into fourth place. Aware that he had not scored any points from race one, James drove with caution and became embroiled in a very exciting battle for third place. Whilst having to defend his position at the same time. By lap 8 James had moved back into 3rd place, but the hungry pack behind was not going to give up, places swopped every lap until the penultimate lap when James succumbed to a very late passing manouvre and dropped to 4th place. With just one lap to go, a back marker created havoc through the chicane and 3 cars including James sped down the back straight. With great bravery James out braked the other 2 cars and secured 4th place to the finishing flag.

A slightly frustrated James was left thinking about the result he should have come away with from the weekend, but pleased that he has the pace to break onto the podium and even win races so early in his first season.

“I was obviously disappointed with what happened in the first race,” he said. “I had second place in the bag and to be hit and put out of contention was annoying. But, it proved that I can run at the front, my starts have improved by  one hundred percent, so I’m very happy about that.

“In the second race I was disappointed with myself as I had moved up to third and should have had my first podium result. But the conditions caught me out and I drove cautiously to get some points. I proved that I am capable of going for the moves to get places back though, it was a natural reaction to get the places back so quickly, I used my Karting experience for that," he added.

“I’m just going to keep making progress, each time I get in the car it feels very natural and I know that by the end of the season podiums will be a regular feature. The Mark Burdett Motorsport car was excellent this weekend."  

James now has a three week break before getting back behind the wheel at Snetterton in Norfolk for round five of the series.

Hi and welcome to my website. What an exciting year I have in prospect, I look forward to my first season in car racing, I will be stepping up to the Formula Renault BARC championship, which looks to be a competitive season. Keep up to date with my progress and you can contact me via the contact page, I will respond personally. See you around