Carroll edges Ireland closer to title

Date published : 03 May 2009 - 11:09:26

Adam Carroll took a huge leap towards to the A1GP crown for Team Ireland when he overcame the early challenge of Mexico's Salvador Duran to win the Brands Hatch sprint race.Not only did he take an impressive victory, over seven seconds ahead of India's Narain Karthikeyan, but Carroll's title rivals struggled. Portugal's Filipe Albuquerque finished fifth, with Switzerland's Neel Jani toiling to score just one point in eighth.It means Carroll takes an eight-point lead over Jani into this afternoon's final feature race, while Albuquerque has closed to within three points of second.Carroll made a good start, but Duran made an even better one and braved it out around the outside of Paddock Hill Bend. Behind them it was chaos, as Netherlands' Jeroen Bleekemolen made a terrible start from third and Albuquerque looked to have grabbed the place until he was punted wide by USA's JR Hildebrand, as he instead took third.Karthikeyan was fifth, ahead of Bleekemolen, New Zealand's Earl Bamber and Jani. The latter's title hopes took a dive when he ran wide at Paddock on lap three, allowing Australia's John Martin past him.Carroll kept Duran in his sights until the mandatory pitstops and his Status-run squad gave him the perfect pitstop. In contrast, Mexico's effort was distinctly leisurely and a sticking left-front wheelnut delayed him, so he not only lost the lead but also second to Karthikeyan, who had pitted a lap earlier.Carroll held a three-second lead, which he extended to over seven by the finish. "The guys did a fantastic job and the car was really good," he said. His only fright came at Graham Hill Bend on lap 12, when he ran wide onto the grass." "I ran a little bit wide, but it was only a small moment. You can never rest around this track. I made sure I brought it home after that." Karthikeyan held on to second, well clear of Duran, who came under attack from Hildebrand in the latter stages."We did a really good job early on, but the pitstop wasn't the best," said Duran. Albuquerque finished fifth ahead of Bleekemolen, who did well to soldier on despite a flat-sounding engine. Martin was seventh, well clear of a disappointed Jani, who finished 22s behind his target Carroll in eighth. Carroll needs to finish fifth or better, regardless of where his title rivals finish, to claim the title in this afternoon's feature race.Results to follow