RACE REPORT:BRANDS HATCH GP
This weekend, we headed to Brands Hatch for round six, the final round of the Porsche Sprint Challenge.
The excitement of the final round was intense as we moved into Qualifying and with a strategy to give us the best chance of a strong starting position we hoped for a top 5 place. Despite our best efforts, we didn’t manage to string all sectors together resulting in one great lap, which left us qualifying P7 and P9.
Race 1
Starting P7 in Race 1, the race start was as expected and we settled down to a consistent but uneventful race. I managed to move up one position to finish P6, which was a solid start to the weekend.
Race 2
Race 2, a good start resulted in me making up places but being swallowed up into turn one and two and causing me to take evasive action to avoid contact. This unfortunately caused me to loose the ground I had made up and put me on the back foot for the remainder of the race. Despite my best efforts to recover the position we finished P10, which was where we had started from but sustained no damage and were in a good place for the final race.
Race 3
Race 3. Starting from P9, we had all to play for and again made a strong start. As the race settled down a gap developed and I knew I had to push harder in the final laps to gain my true position in the pack. Closing on my competition an opportunity came and I went wheel to wheel, holding my nerve to make the pass and finishing in P6.
Reflecting on the season, I think it has been a great experience moving to a mid engined 500BHP car with a one make series giving me the opportunity to develop as a driver and I have met and competed against some really great guys.
I’d like to thank my mechanic Matty, who has tirelessly worked to prepare the car and keep it on the grid,my driver coaches Sean and James for their support this year, without which I would not so easily have made the transition from front wheel drive and progressed as I have in the championship.
Finally, to thank my Mum and Dad, who without their belief and unwavering support in me, none of this would have been possible.
As we reflect on the season, plans will become reality as we move on to the next chapter in my career. Watch this space for updates as we go and keep up to date to see what’s to come!