Ellis rekindles Spa love affair (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Ellis rekindles Spa love affair

1:47pm Tuesday 3rd May 2011 in Motorsport

Bradley Ellis returns to one of his favourite European race venues as the Dunlop Radical UK Cup heads to the infamous Spa Francorchamps circuit this Thursday and Friday.

The Croydon-born 23-year-old and partner Andy Cummings finished 10th in their season opener at Silverstone earlier this month and enjoyed a double podium when he raced at the Belgian circuit when he last contested the Radical series in 2007.

Although this weekend’s double header race weekend doesn’t form part of the championship-point counting rounds this season, the Radical UK Cup’s first international outing of 2011 will offer Ellis and his new teammate vital seat time in the Supreme Racing Radical SR3 as Andy Cummings makes his Spa debut.

“We took a lot of positives from our first races at Silverstone to carry forward for the rest of the season,” said Ellis. “It’s a shame we can’t score points at Spa but that means we can relax and enjoy a double race weekend that offers us valuable time in the car. The Spa rounds will be only Andy’s third and fourth races in the series, so he’ll get more vital race experience on one of Europe’s most demanding circuits.

“Unfortunately we can’t take part in the additional track day test preceding the race. We’ll only be able to do the two 40-minute practice sessions. Andy will do the majority of driving then to help him get to know the track, but then he’s probably only looking at getting 20 laps of testing as it’s such a long lap. Regardless, I’m sure he’ll rise to the challenge.

“I love Spa. Every time I race there I get on well so I’ll be hoping for more of the same this year. I’ll be aiming to qualify on the front row. It would be nice to get a top five finish although realistically we are probably looking at the top 10. But you never know what could happen at a circuit like Spa.

“It’s the second race weekend as a new driver pairing but Andy and I are already working really well together. He did a great job at Silverstone and just gets better and better, so we should be in for a good weekend. Spa will certainly be a great experience for him and we’ll return to race in the UK as an even stronger Pro/Am duo. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The first race on Friday is at 10.50am with round two at 5pm local time.