carries on his MSA Formula education at Oulton Park

Jersey driver Jack Butel was back in action in the MSA Formula Championship at Oulton Park last weekend (6/7 June) after a four-week break. Despite a retirement last time out at Thruxton, Butel focused upon securing race finishes and gaining experience as he continued his MSA Formula education. He left the picturesque Oulton Park circuit with promise after netting three confidence-boosting results (18th, 18th and 17th).

Previously at Thruxton in Hampshire, it was to be a mixed weekend for Butel as he chalked up two solid 13th place finishes and was making significant progress in the third until an unfortunate retirement in the final race. The priority at Oulton Park was to secure three race finishes, gain plenty of mileage and continue his development in his first season in the competitive MSA Formula series against some of the best young drivers in the world.

From the fastest circuit in the country to one of the most picturesque – the FIA approved MSA Formula Championship, rolled into leafy, rural Outlon Park in Cheshire. Jerseyman Butel was to struggle with set-up difficulties in the short qualifying session on Saturday morning, finishing 22nd.

With the field being so competitive from front to back it was going to be a struggle for the former De La Salle student to make substantial progress. Undeterred, however, the 19-year-old would give full commitment despite his lack of experience around the Cheshire venue. The undulating layout soon became a hit for the Jerseyman as the range of fast flowing curves, tight chicanes and hairpins offered a real challenge to the single-seater exponent.

Race one would see great promise from the St Saviour resident. Jack launched his single-seater off the line with great effect as he picked off two competitors in the opening handful of laps. Gaining rhythm and speed, lap after lap Butel began to rein in the pack in the closing stages as he scalped a further two positions–netting 18th as the flag fell.

The grid positions for the second race of the day was decided by the result of the first and this would see Jack line up 18th. Race two was to be a quiet affair for the Channel Islander as he held the same position throughout the 20 minute race distance – further improving his race craft as he defended hard against the stiff opposition.

The MSA Formula in 2015 supports the hugely popular British Touring Car Championship and the third race of the meeting was to be held just before the headline act in front of a crowd in excess of 40,000 and hundreds of thousands more at home watching live ITV4 coverage.

The grid for the final race was taken on the second best time in qualifying which meant Jacks weekend progress had to be started all over from 22nd on the grid. With a better car under him the young-gun made a great getaway, as he wanted to sparkle under the summer sunshine. With races so short, Butel had limited time to make a dent into the fast and furious pack.
As he sped around the 2.69 mile ribbon of tarmac settled on the Cheshire hillside he carved his way towards the top 15. It was a momentous effort as he gained in confidence lap after lap in the SWB Motorsport prepared machine – setting his fastest lap time of the weekend on the final lap of the final race.

As the clock hit zero Butel notched up 17th in the final race of the weekend.

Quote from the big gig in the park:

“We wanted to get back to finishing races again after our unfortunate retirement at Thruxton. We went in the wrong direction with set-up for qualifying on Saturday morning, which put us on the back foot for the rest of the weekend.

“However come the races the team [SWB Motorsport] had done a great job to put together a car I was comfortable with. I made some good starts and was able to pick people off in all races despite Oulton Park being a difficult place to pass. I felt I was improving as the weekend progressed and my confidence grew and grew and I know we can push-on for the rest of the season.

“ I can’t wait for the next round at Croft – I have a lot of fond memories there having gone well last year in the Formula Renault series in both wet and dry races and I look forward to getting closer to the top 10. Croft is a great circuit with a challenging layout and we will hopefully be knocking on the door of a good result.”

The next stop on the MSA Formula Championship calendar is Croft Circuit in Yorkshire as the force heads north on 27/28 June. Jack Butel and SWB Motorsport now look to be back on track as they fight their way towards to the top 10.