Norwegian school teacher Mette Bjerknaes gave her male British F2 rivals at Stewartby Lake a lesson in speed and starting procedure during the first day of the 2021 CPA F2 British Sprint Championships.

Bjerknaes took pole for the event almost 2 seconds faster than Steve Hoult and then put in a couple of perfect starts followed by a racu
masterclass that she has developed over her years of competing on the international circuit.

She told Chris Davies after the first day:

I’m really happy with my starts and I was practicing them a few weeks ago, to do well at an event like this starting well is everything as opposed to a 40 lap UIM F2 race where perhaps you have the time to make up for a poor start.

Hoult was second best today but he told Davies:

It’s been 22 months since I last raced in Abu Dhabi, so I’m pleased.

We have some props to try in tomorrow’s morning warm-up and hopefully we can close the gap on Mette.

Sam Whittle’s Powertech Marine team were pleased with their driver’s qualification and race performance.

His father Keith told me this evening:

We only got Sam’s BaBa hull repaired this week after a racing incident up at Oulton Broad a few weeks ago.

His boat is not ideal for F2, but we’ll take third tonight every time!