Raoul Owens is targeting a strong end to the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup as the season comes to an end this weekend in Germany.
The Nurburgring will be the venue for the eagerly-awaited finale to what has been a thrilling season, culminating in the last round with Raoul’s first pole position and a career best second place. Something the Pembury race ace will be looking to replicate out this weekend.
Going into the final weekend just a single point outside the coveted championship top 10, the Mark Burdett Motorsport driver wants to score as heavily as possible to not only conclude the season with a flourish, but to also undo some of the damage done earlier in the year when hit by misfortune.
Speaking ahead of the weekends final races, Raoul said: “I need to try and score as many points as I can to make up some of what we lost out on earlier in the season, we’ve been caught-up in other people’s incidents too many times this year and that’s had a big impact.
“It’s so important to be away from the mid-pack, we need to start as high up the order as we can at Nurburgring and then try and get another podium – finishing one place better than we did in Most and getting that first win would be a good way to end the season.”
Raoul does have experience of the popular German track from a wildcard outing back in July in the blue riband Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 series. Showing terrific race pace, the Briton wasn’t able to convert his speed into a top ten and a points results after being the victim of contact in each encounter – but the track knowledge gained a couple of months ago will stand him in good stead.
He added: “I know the track from the Eurocup outing and we did well there speed-wise, we just got caught-up in the races unfortunately. We’ve had enough track time there, so the key will be to get a good qualifying to boost us up the grid – that’s so important.
“The weekend will be my last with Mark [Burdett] and it would obviously be really nice to end the season on a high together. The team’s commitment has always been there, we’ve just had some bad luck along the way, but the guys have done a great job. Coming off such a good result last time out boosts everyone, we know its possible now and we have what it takes to be right at the front.”
With his eye on a move up the single-seater ladder next year, and discussions already taking place regarding the best direction for his burgeoning sporting career, Raoul knows the importance a series of podium finishes at the Nurburgring could have on his 2015 plans.
Following testing on Thursday, 18th September, additional free practice will be held on Friday, 19th September, along with Formula Renault 2.0 NEC qualifying and the opening race which will begin at 15.20 (local time). On Saturday, 20th September, race two will take place at 11.00 (local time) with race three beginning at 08.40 (local time) on Sunday, 21st September.