Lucca Allen’s front running start to the 2024 British GP2 Championship continued this past weekend with the FR89 Racing rider powering his Kalex machine to a double podium finish in the annual Bank Holiday round at the undulating Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire.
A spill in the mid-week practice session followed by another crash in qualifying gave the team a bit of work but Lucca was able to bounce back to secure his place on the grid thanks to a gritty performance in the last chance qualifier on Saturday. Leading for most of the race, he guaranteed his spot with a last lap move, much to the delight of his team and supporters.
The opening race, later in the day, saw Lucca dig deep. Passing several riders, he was soon into the podium positions and after a hard fought twelve lap encounter, the #11 crossed the line third.
Sunday saw Lucca start further up the grid thanks to his pace in race one and, as he had twenty-four hours earlier, he was soon in contention for the podium. A longer sixteen lap race gave him chance to further improve his personal best lap time, which he did by almost four tenths of a second! The result – a second third position of the weekend, his third podium of the season!
The result keeps Lucca in contention for the GP2 title after four races.
Lucca Allen:
“The weekend started well in the damp, and I was running well inside the top six, but I knew it was only practice. I crashed in qualifying which meant I had to go through the last chance qualifier. I was able to lead most of the race and made a move for P2 on the last lap to secure my place on the grid for the main races. Race one was good and I finished third in the GP2 category. I had more pace than the Supersport bikes ahead of me, but I just struggled to get passed. The good thing is was that I gained confidence and I felt that I would be able to go faster, either alone or in a group on Sunday. The second race was also good. I found myself alone for most of the race but overall, I am happy. To come away with two thirds after the crashes this weekend gives me confidence that we are moving in the right direction, and I am confident for Donington in a couple of weeks. I want to thank my FR89 Racing Team, my family and all my supporters.”
