Scheckter takes Donington win

The South African started from pole position in the race after Japanese racer Takuma Sato was put to the back of the grid for a technical infringement which was found on his car after qualifying.

Stewart Racing ace Scheckter stormed into a healthy lead, making light of a brief rain shower which made conditions treacherous for the 25 drivers. As the track began to dry, however, he was reeled in by championship leader Antonio Pizzonia. Scheckter coolly staved off the Brazilian's challenge to win by just 0.2 of a second.

It was a fantastic battle and the result leaves Scheckter just two points adrift of Manor Motorsport driver Pizzonia in the points standings.

'I really enjoyed the race,' said Scheckter, 'Antonio only had one real chance of getting past me and after that our lap times were so similar that I was able to keep in front.'

Pizzonia survived a scare before the race had started when he spun on the warm-up lap when weaving to try to get heat into his tyres. Fortunately, the Brazilian was able to retake his place alongside Scheckter on the front row of the grid.

Third fell to Renault-Promatecme driver Andy Priaulx, who got the jump on his team-mate Matt Davies at the start, but was unable to keep with the leading duo.

'On lap three I overshot the chicane and after that I decided to concentrate on getting the car to the end of the race,' said the Briton.

Behind Davies in fourth came Michael Bentwood, who pulled off an audacious passing move on the grass to scramble past Nicolas Kiesa in the closing laps. Rowan Racing driver Martin O'Connell also got past Kiesa before the end to claim sixth spot.

Gary Paffett continued his domination of the Scholarship Class, finishing tenth overall and well clear of class runner-up Christian Colombo.


1 4 C Tomas SCHECKTER RSA Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:06.205
2 1 C Antonio PIZZONIA BRA Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:06.396
3 6 C Andy PRIAULX GBR Dallara F300 Renault 30:21.846
4 5 C Matthew DAVIES GBR Dallara F300 Renault 30:26.338
5 7 C Michael BENTWOOD GBR Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:32.828
6 17 C Martin O'CONNELL GBR Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:33.370
7 12 C Nicolas KIESA DEN Dallara F300 Spiess-Opel 30:33.724
8 3 C Narain KARTHIKEYAN IND Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:34.010
9 9 C Takuma SATO JPN Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:36.230
10 61 S Gary PAFFETT GBR Dallara F398 Renault 30:46.711
11 11 C Milos PAVLOVIC YUG Dallara F300 Spiess-Opel 30:56.062
12 15 C Westley BARBER GBR Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:58.134
13 2 C Juan Manuel LOPEZ ARG Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:07.397
14 22 C Andrew KIRKALDY GBR Dallara F300 Opel Spiess 30:11.047
15 10 C Ben COLLINS GBR Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:26.733
16 51 S Christian COLOMBO ITA Dallara F398 Mugen-Honda 30:27.147
17 18 C Warren CARWAY IRL Dallara F300 Mugen-Honda 30:35.378
18 56 S Marcel ROMANIO GBR Dallara F398 Toyota 30:39.327
19 54 S Craig FLEMING GBR Dallara F398 Mugen Honda 30:45.339
20 66 S Ryan WALKER USA Dallara F398 Mugen-Honda 30:46.116
21 52 S Philip HOPKINS GBR Dallara F398 Spiess-Opel 30:52.170
22 77 S Mark MAYALL GBR Dallara F398 Mugen-Honda 30:10.910
23 55 S Atsushi KATSUMATA JPN Dallara F398 Toyota 30:25.544