Thai racer Sandy Stuvik confirmed a huge step forward in his racing career by finishing 14th overall in the 2012 Formula Renault Northern European Cup. Stuvik is still one of the youngest racers in the Formula Renault championship and with the improvement from 28th position last season to 14th in this year season, he has given clear indication of how he is maturing as a top level formula racer. Having been regularly racing in the top ten against some of the best young drivers in the world, the Thai driver will be eager to fly the Thai flag on the podium in the coming 2013 season.
The season ending 2 races at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium last weekend eventually became a battle against the rapidly changing weather in the Ardenne mountains. Stuvik started the first race from 20th place after a chaotic half wet, half dry qualifying session and ended the race after 2 safety car sessions and a red flagged race in 16th position.
Teams prepare for Race 1 on the starting grid at Spa Francorchamps.
The second race saw the front of the grid starting on slick tires and the back on wet tires, as the weather was impossible to predict with heavy gray clouds above. Stuvik started from 15th position on slick tires; however seconds before the race went green, the rain started and all the cars on slick tires were quickly relegated down the order. The Thai driver found himself several places down after the first lap and it was only a matter of doing his best to keep the car on the road for the duration of the race. In the end he would finish a distant 23rd place.
Stuvik is already planning his 2013 season, which will start with more testing and training to develop his driving skills to the highest level. The youngster is firmly intent on being the first Thai driver to fly the flag on the formula podiums of Europe since the days of Prince Bira more than 50 years ago.
Sandy Stuvik races for the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand and is sponsored by The Pizza Company, Singha Corporation, Dacon Inspection Services, Bira Circuit and Sports Authority of Thailand.
Sandy Stuvik, left, battles for position in the season ending races in Belgium, Sunday, Oct. 14.
Sandy was stuck on the Race 2 start grid with slick tires, just as the rain began to fall.
