EXCLUSIVE: Alex Preston not dwelling on Castle Combe disappointment

Exclusive by Rob Stevens • Published 22 Jun 2012 12:00 0 Comments

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ALEX Preston insists he is not going to dwell on the disappointment of missing out on a podium finish at Castle Combe.

The teen driving sensation moved up to fourth in the Mazda MX5 Championship after finishing fifth and fourth at the Wiltshire circuit last weekend.

Preston was held up by back markers and, like last season's Castle Combe rounds, was left frustrated by marshalling errors but admitted he would have been happy with two top-five finishes this time last year.

Windsor-based Preston was on a high after his inaugural victory at Cadwell Park earlier this month but his luck had run out when a red flag in qualifying resulted in him starting seventh on the grid.

Speaking exclusively to the Observer he said: "We just started to get into a groove when there was a red flag so the tyres cooled down. We got back out on the track but didn't have time to warm them up again.

"A red flag means there has been a big accident. Quarry is a fast corner and it's too dangerous to leave someone there. Twenty-five percent of motor sport accidents in Britain happen at that corner, it's notorious for people crashing."

Regarding the weekend's races - rounds nine and 10 of the championship season - Preston continued: "In the first race I got stuck behind people who were slowing me down and when I got through, there wasn't enough time to catch the leaders.

"In race two I got into a massive battle with Simon Goddard. I let him pass me but eventually he buckled under pressure and took a corner too fast.

"I started to catch the leaders but weirdly the last lap sign was followed by the chequered flag. We were all a bit confused when we came in."

Preston added: "I'm a little bit disappointed but it's more points on the board and I got extra points for the fastest lap which is a boost.

"This time last year I would've been happy with two top five finishes."

The Championship moves on to Brands Hatch on July 7 and the former Windsor Boys' pupil is hoping to get back onto the podium trail.

Preston said: "I'm looking forward to it, I did a bit of testing there last year. It's a short narrow track so it will be very hectic."

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