27 June 2010 | Worcestershire driver Cassey Watson reached the heights of sixth in the Trofeo
Abarth 500 GB driver championship, but slipped back three places less than 24 hours later after
her Asetto Corse race car developed a fault to cut short her track-time at Silverstone.
Watson, who’s still yet to turn 19, qualified on the fourth row on the grid at the historic
Northamptonshire bridge grand prix circuit on Saturday (race 9). Yet despite her position, the
Thames driver did well to overcome some initial technical difficulties to claw back three places to
finish fifth, and keep Mardi Gras driver Paul Smith at bay in the leaderboard.
However, Sunday’s race (race 10) proved to be less fruitful for Watson, who was forced to retire
midway through the race after her driver flange failed, coupled with a loss of brakes – the result of
which saw Watson slip back three places in the driver championship.

“Race cars are so finely tuned, so it’s inevitable that, from time to time, they will develop a

fault, which can be the difference between being on the podium or not finishing the race at all,”

explained Watson.

“What’s refreshing about the Asetto Corse race car is that, compared to other modified

manufacturer models, it’s been one of the most reliable cars that I have driven around the circuit;

especially when you consider that it’s essentially a road car, which is what makes the Abarth quite

unique.

“When I look back at events from the weekend, I was pleased with the start I got going into race

9 on Saturday. In many ways, it replicated my start at Snetterton last month [June]. On both

accounts, my start enabled me to make up places going into the first turn, which set a precedent

for the rest of each race,” added Watson.

“When I look back at events from the weekend, I was pleased with the start I got going into race

9 on Saturday. In many ways, it replicated my start at Snetterton last month [June]. On both

accounts, my start enabled me to make up places going into the first turn, which set a precedent

for the rest of each race,” added Watson.

A bumper crowd of well over 40,000 gathered to witness a feast of world-class motorsport at this

year’s Silverstone Classic, which, along with the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB championship, it also

culminated in a theme of 60 years of the Formula 1 World Championship.

On Saturday and Sunday, Stephan Hodgetts led from start to finish to claim top spot on the

podium for the fourth and firth time this season, leaving Ben Winrow and Charlie Butler-

Henderson to fight it out between second and third respectively. Yet for Watson, whose car

misfired during Saturday’s qualifying seasons, it made her fifth place all that more credible at the

end of race 9.

For Watson, the next stop in the race calendar is Brands Hatch on 4th and 5th September. “Brands

is the opposite to Silverstone,” says Watson. “The two circuits are a bit like chalk and cheese.

Silverstone is more of a power circuit to test speed, whereas Brands is much more technical. I’m

looking forward to the Paddock Hill bend at Brands, as well as being on the same billboard as the

DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), which is always a huge crowd draw,” she added.

For more press information on Thames Abarth, or to arrange an interview with Cassey Watson,

please contact Andrew Fitzsimons on 07967 373039, or email news-pressdirect@virgin.net.

Alternatively, please go to: www.casseywatson.co.uk.

[Picture Credit to: Marc Waller]