Jack Clarke signed off on his 2008 season with three dramatic races. As ever with Jack it was all action and the racer in him ensured that he took the chance of a place in the Autosport McLaren BRDC Young Driver of the Year down to the last few laps of the last race. Like Lewis Hamilton, the rain played its part but in Jack's case it was not such a happy outcome.
Jack was full of confidence after his dominant performance at Brands Hatch last weekend and his eyes were firmly set on winning that prestigious opportunity. "It was all part of the Autumn Trophy and obviously we all wanted to do well in that championship, but in all honesty all of us eligible for the young driver award were firmly fixed on that. It is a winner take all situation and as I finished runner up last year, I was really looking at the win this year."
The 20-year-old from Effingham had a troubled qualifying session with a sixth place and fifth place where rain intervention and a slower driver ruined his best laps. He also had a gearbox problem in the second session and on a fast lap the gears jumped from fourth to neutral leaving Jack to spin. He was unable to continue and after only a couple of quick laps had to watch while all the others went quicker and quicker.
In the three races again rain and a slippery track played a big part for all the front runners and Jack was relieved to have made it to the end of race two in second place on the leader board. "In the Shoot Out you have to drop one score so mathematically I needed to win the third race to take the overall spoils" he explained. "I had a great start from fifth in the wet and was third at the first corner. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Aaron Steele and Tom Bradshaw had a coming together as we went into the first corner four abreast and there were cars everywhere. I emerged in third and was soon second behind the Irish driver, Niall Quinn (who was not eligible to enter the Shoot Out). I had a great chance if only I could get past Quinn who was concentrating on winning the Autumn Trophy and not involved in the Shoot Out. It was wet and there was lots of spray. In normal circumstances I would have boosted my way past him early on, but this once I decided to look at the big picture and save the boost for later in the race. This was a mistake as the weather worsened and I found myself engulfed by Jo Palmer who went on the boost. We were side by side under the bridge which put me off line and lost me two seconds and places to Hamilton and Waters. If I had overtaken Quinn and moved into the clear early on I would have won. I am gutted. But I made the wrong choices in the heat of the moment and I have learnt from my mistakes. Well done to Aaron Steele who emerged the winner.
Jack now bids farewell to Formula Palmer Audi and has his eyes firmly set on raising money for the next big step in his career - Formula 2. A new European championship introduced by the FIA as a stepping stone to Formula One. It will be run by Jonathan Palmer who believes it will produce a whole group of aspiring Formula One drivers. For further information on Formula 2 please go to www.formulatwo.com.
Jack's final words on Formula Palmer Audi - "I have had a fantastic two years with FPA," said Jack. "It has been an exceptional place to learn my race craft and rub shoulders with some great drivers. Jonathan Palmer is a huge inspiration to me and with the introduction of F2 he has proved once again that he has the good health of the sport at the very centre of his agenda, I am disappointed with the Shoot Out but I know I have the pace and talent to make it. I can't wait for 2009".
Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy
Niall Quinn - 114
Tom Bradshaw - 92
Jolyon Palmer - 89
Jack Clarke - 86