Colin Queen Picks Off Rivals In GB3 Fightbacks At Spa-Francorchamps
American motorsport star Colin Queen overtook 18 cars across three strong showings in the latest GB3 Championship event at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium last weekend (1/2 June).
After showing flashes of his speed in the opening rounds at Oulton Park and Silverstone, the Floridian headed across into Europe for the first of three events outside of the UK which took place at Spa-Francorchamps - home of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.
Backed by ONE Sotheby's International Realty on the #62 Fortec car, the 19-year-old was greeted by typical Spa weather throughout the weekend. During testing in mixed conditions over Thursday and Friday, Queen showed strong pace in the rain to show that he would be a threat over the weekend’s three 20-minute races.
The Fortec Motorsport rookie, who impressed during his first year in GB4, was then thrust into an extremely tight Qualifying session on Friday afternoon. The top 20 drivers were separated by around one and a half seconds, with Queen in that squabble as he took 18th on the grid.
The times however showed that the American was not far from the ultimate pace despite the placing, and he took that optimism into the first and second races on Saturday. Weather remained damp, and Queen thrived as he charged off the grid in race one from 18th up into the top 15 with good use of the slipstream at the high-speed circuit. Further progress was made in the closing laps, as Queen made his way out of a jostling pack and onto the tail of Patrick Heuzenroeder, narrowly missing out on 13th place by tenths of a second.
Queen had the chance to repeat the feat in the second race later that day, starting from 16th place based on the second-fastest laps from Qualifying. Again, a fighting performance on the opening lap was key to his charge, moving up into the top 13 as he slipstreamed by several rivals.
The race would be dictated by safety cars however, which considerably limited the amount of green flag running and overtaking opportunities. Queen did not let this affect him, making up a further spot and dodging a two-car incident on the first safety car restart at La Source to come home a credible 11th place - five spots better off from his starting position.
Queen entered the final race of the weekend again starting an unrepresentative 18th on the grid, hopeful of another recovery drive. What followed was his best of the weekend, after an excellent jump from the moment the lights went out that propelled him up into the top 15.
The American then took advantage of incidents ahead of him to move up into 11th place, slipstreaming his way to the head of the second pack of cars. On the restart, Queen kept his nose clean and attacked for a top 10 position, and he got his reward as two more places were gained before a final safety car appearance - Queen finishing an impressive nine positions higher than he started, in ninth by the flag.
Colin Queen: “It was a great experience to race around this amazing circuit for the first time, and I think we can say that we did a good job all round considering the learning experience.
“From our first laps we were not far away and I think our pace in the wet conditions was very positive. We were finding more grip than a lot of other competitors and that gave us confidence for the weekend. Although the times were close I would have obviously liked to have started higher like we did, but it is what it is.
“We just got our heads down on race day, and it felt good. The safety cars unfortunately limited what we could have done, but to make up nine places on Sunday and keep moving forward was really encouraging for us as a team. A great experience, and now I’m looking forward to a new one in Hungary.”
The American next heads to Hungary for another European fixture as the GB3 Championship visits the Hungaroring F1 circuit across the weekend of 22/23 June.
Photos: Jakob Ebrey Photography
