We are back at Thunderhill for round 5 & 6 of Honda Challenge. Jonathan Meris who is always a threat, is back after missing the last round. The weather will be a big challenge for the competitors as forecast call for sporadic rain on Saturday....

Article by Andrie Hartanto of http://www.prima-racing.com

We are back at Thunderhill for round 5 & 6 of Honda Challenge.  Jonathan Meris who is always a threat, is back after missing the last round.  The weather will be a big challenge for the competitors as forecast call for sporadic rain on Saturday, but nice and sunny for Sunday.  Prima Racing's car is fitted with the new shocks from JRZ suspension, but it is also the heaviest it has ever been with 75 lbs weight penalty added.    

Saturday morning practice,
Rain has been pouring since early morning, and the track is completely drenched.  Everyone is having trouble with grip, and going around the track at very slow pace.  Obviously times from this session is not a good gauge on how everyone performed.

Saturday Qualifying,
The rain slowed down but it is still drizzling.  The team opted to stay with rain tires as the rain is still coming and the track is still wet.  However, as we all roll into the grid, the rain stopped and the track dries out really quick.   Hartanto tried his best with the rain tires but can only managed 2nd best time.  Pole goes to Team Goto Racing driven by Mike Lock.  Jonathan Meris is third, followed by Bob Gill and Robert Arguelles rounded the top 5.

Honda Challenge round 5,
for the race we opted to go with dry tires as well as everyone else since the rain had stopped for a while and the track is completely dry.  At the start, Meris from the second row got a good launch and lead onto turn 1.  Hartanto quickly tuck behind and Mike Lock followed closely.  Quickly the top 3 ran away from the field and engulfed in the battle of their own.  Hartanto quickly make his move and managed to squeeze by Meris on the last corner on the first lap to reclaim the lead.  From then on, Hartanto quicly pulled away, while Meris and Lock had quite a battle for second place, swapping position on each lap.

About halfway point, the rain started to come down on the back part of the track.  This creates a very difficult condition as only part of the track is wet, while the other part is dry.  Few laps later, the rain covered the whole track.  This makes the race really tough since everyone was on dry tires and it is quickly turn into survival mode.  Hartanto still managed to widen the gap and finished the difficult race by a sizeable gap.  Mike Lock was able to get around Meris to claim 2nd, and Meris rounded up the podium.
 
Sunday morning practice,
It was sunny, but the sun is also followed by gusty wind.  The track is dry, but the gusty wind definitely have an effect with everyone.  Hartanto was again int he top of the time sheet, followed by Team Goto Racing with Brian Zoraster behind the wheel for today.  Jonathan Meris rounded the top 3.
 
Sunday Qualifying,
Hartanto back on the top with the time of 2:01.195 followed by Meris and Team Goto Racing rounding up the top 3. 

Round  6 Race,
At the start, Meris was able to get a good launch and lead into turn 1.  Hartanto followed close behind with Zoraster on his tail.  Unfortunately, the start was aborted due to a stalled car behind. 
 
Restart, Meris again got a good launch and took the lead.  Hartanto followed closely and right away putting the pressure.  Zoraster is watching from thirs ready to pounce if any of the top 2 make mistakes on the battle. 
 
Hartanto was applying pressure everywhere, sticking his nose and trying to make the pass stick.  Meris drove well and was able to keep Hartanto at bay.  That is until the last lap in turn 2, where Hartanto tried the outside and inside move and made it stick.  Meris tried to reclaim his position, but a mis-shifted damaged his engine.  He was limping back to get to the finish line and salvaged his position, when Zoraster took full advantage and passed him just before the finish line. 

For more pictures, please visit: http://sromagazine.com/prima/thumbnails.php?album=95