Following a short break in the F4 season, Dougie Bolger returned in style with an exciting weekend at Oulton Park that saw him achieve a Rookie category win in Race 3 as well as a Rookie podium in Race 1.
Saturday morning at Oulton Park Island was grey and drizzly, and as the F4 vehicles rolled out for Qualifying the rain began to fall. With all cars heading out on slicks at first, the pit lane was soon a frenzy with everyone coming in for a change. After switching onto wets four laps from the end of the session, Dougie was able to get in some solid laps, pushing the car into an eventual P7 with the potential pace for even better.
Lining up on the fourth row, Dougie’s Race 1 start was briefly hindered when a competitor stalled in front of him, but he was able to swerve past and hold 7th place into the first corner. Overtaking Coseteng he secured P6 and pushed forward, pressuring Gray in 5th. Despite the pace dropping a little towards the latter stages of the race, the Japanese driver was able to maintain his position, crossing the line 6th and securing his fourth Rookie podium of the season.
Starting P13 in the reverse grid race on used tyres, Dougie’s main focus was to gain places in order to secure some championship points. The 16-year-old was able to avoid the chaos ahead and drive well to reach 11th position, holding off championship leader James Hedley in 12th.
Following Saturday’s races, Dougie said:
“We had very strong potential today, and although we qualified in P7 it could have been even better. Despite a difficult start I am pleased with my Race 1 performance and Rookie podium number four! Race 2 reverse grid race was all about gaining positions and I was pleased to have achieved that.”
On a brighter and warmer Sunday, the F4 drivers had to wait until 3:30pm for their final race after a number of red flags in other events caused a delay in the schedule. Starting in P7 once again, Dougie was able to avoid the chaos of the opening few laps and maintain his position. Knowing the capabilities of himself and his car, he did not settle for 8 points though, and with 4 minutes to go began to pressure Rees in front. With an overtake described as ‘super’ by the TV commentary team, he passed Rees into 6th place. There was more to come from the young Japanese racer though, who was soon in the mirrors of the championship leader, successfully passing him into P5 with a minute to go on the clock. On the race’s final lap his next target was Coseteng, who he dispatched with just a few corners to go. Pushing until the chequered flag, Dougie crossed the line in 4th position achieving his joint-best result and the Rookie category win.
On a successful Sunday, Dougie said:
“I’m very happy with today’s result. It was a huge step forward for us from the beginning of the season and shows what we can achieve. Thank you so much to the team and everyone who has supported me. I look forward to seeing what we can do at the next round.“
Kokoro Performance’s Kieren Clark added:
“What a great Sunday for Dougie! His performance in Race 3 demonstrated exactly what we knew he was capable of – pressuring his opponents and taking risks completely paid off. Looking forward, we hope to use this new found confidence to secure some solid results at Knockhill in a few weeks.”
Leaving Oulton Park with a strong points haul, Dougie now sits in 4th position in the Rookie championship standings. Looking to build up on the successful weekend, he will return to racing at Knockhill on 14-15 August 2021.
