Phoenix FM’s racing driver Lochlan Bearman enjoyed his most competitive weekend of his inaugural full circuit racing season at Snetterton on the 11/12 June.

At just 14, the karting champion moved into the competitive Fiesta Junior Championship in January 2016.

The CooperMotorsport driver said “as a new driver and in a new team to the championship we knew we’d be facing a steep learning curve against the big teams that have been doing this for years. Our objective was to be in the top 10. However, after the first round I knew that I could fight for podiums if we got the set up right. That brings its own frustration as we don’t have the funds to test so all our learning is done on the race weekend”

In the practise sessions Bearman was consistently in the top 6 and was confident of a high position in qualifying when he would get new tyres. In qualifying the gear change cable broke after 3 laps and he could not continue. But he’d done enough to qualify in 7th spot and the top 10 cars were covered by just 4 tenths of a second over a 2minute 20 second lap.

“It’s so close, so one really clean lap and a slipstream could have been enough to secure pole position. The car was working well and gave me confidence for the race” he commented.

As the cars were lining up for the start it bagain to rain. “I was happy with that” said Bearman, “as tricky conditions really level out the field and car advantages are minimised leaving it more to the driver”.

In race 1 Bearman got away well and took an inside line into the Montreal hairpin and made up 2 places to get into 5th. As he chased the cars ahead the rain came down more and conditions were very slippery,

Going down the long straight and braking hard for the Brundle/Nelsons corners Bearman saw an opportunity to dive down the inside, the cars touched and despite a very sideways moment Bearman came out in 4th place.

2nd to 5th were covered by 1.5 seconds, he was soon onto the back of the 3rd placed car and the two were touching wing mirrors as they went down the back straight with the PhoenixFM man on the outside. Holding his nerve he braked later and took 3rd by going around the outside. As he caught the leaders the second placed car was forced into a mistake and spun right in front of Bearman in the high speed Hamilton’s corner allowing the 4th placed man through, Bearman still in 3rd.

He was soon on the tail of second again and took the position by getting a better exit from Murrays and making the move into Riches corner. With time running out Bearman was gaining on the leader but as the rain came down there were more cars were going off and the race was red flagged giving Lochlan Bearman his first podium at this level, securing 2nd place.

“What a fantastic feeling!! I knew I could do it, the car was great and I know I can win” he said excitedly after the trophy presentation.

Race 2 had Bearman starting 2nd on the grid thanks to his earlier success.

Going into the hairpin on lap 1 he was caught on the outside and exited that corner in 3rd place. He set about catching the leaders. The front 2 made contact and in the melee Bearman sneaked through into the lead. Bearman then led the rest of the race looking in control and on course for his first win. Going into the last lap he took a wide line at the Montreal hairpin where the grip was but the second placed man took a narrow line and then drove straight into Bearman on the exit of the corner smashing into Bearman’s No 36 machine and forcing him off track, damaging the steering. Bearman recovered from the grass but with the steering bent and the power steering broken could only manage to get the car home in 7th.

“I was absolutely devastated. It was my race, I was in control and it was a move that just wasn’t on. Although the other driver received points on his racing licence nothing can give me that win back. However, we will take the positives and know that I can win if we get the car right.”

Bearman is now 5th in the Championship and his next race is at Castle Coombe on July 17th. This race will be on Motors TV on Wednesday 22nd June @18.00.

“I always have to ask – but if anyone wants to get involved and help me try to win this championship through sponsorship, services, products or physical help it would really make a difference. Please contact me via bearman.racing@gmail.com”