Hi everyone…
This month has been busy, especially with the lead up to my last round of Protyre Formula Renault BARC at Silverstone – I was really feeling confident for the final round. I had a simulation test at iZone before the race, which I think really helped with my progression and building my confidence.
Silverstone was packed with people due to the touring cars and the atmosphere was great!
Qualifying was difficult as the times were all very close and only one second separated the front to the back of the grid.
Race one was great, my start wasn’t as good as I hoped but once I got going I was overtaking and coming through the grid. Towards the end of the race I couldn’t catch any more but still pulled away from the group behind me and kept consistent, finishing 22nd out of a massive 32 car grid.
Race two started a little better but, unfortunately, I caught my front wing slightly on another car while trying to avoid a start-line collision. During the first lap the wing was put under so much strain due to the vibrations and dropped right down, only hanging on with two bolts. This made the car understeer and it was very difficult to drive and gain on people ahead. I still got stuck in though and managed to do some overtaking, I stayed with the pack and didn’t give up.
I was sad the end of the season had ended that way as I knew I was going to improve again throughout that last race and the team had put so much effort in. I was confident round Silverstone and I know I will come back fighting stronger for the next race which will be the Winter Series round at Brands Hatch this weekend.
I would like to thank everyone at Fortec, my mechanic Jamie Russell, my engineer Ben Salter, driver coach Riki Christo, team manager Steve Lynch and team boss Richard Dutton for a fantastic year and such great support. I would also like to wish CLIC Sargent the very best and thank them for letting me help support the charity his year…and I hope to do so in the future.
So, as I said before, I will be competing in the Formula Renault BARC races at Brands Hatch this weekend, supporting the BTCC again and driving with Fortec and the support of my driver coach Riki Christo. I have never raced at Brands GP so I am really looking forward to it, plus it’s my nearest track to home so it should be fantastic. It’s looking like a great number of spectators will be there, I’m really looking forward to a great atmosphere and an amazing race to end my year in BARC.
I would also like to mention a charity race at Buckmore Park on 24th October in support of my dear friend Henry Surtees and the Henry Surtees Foundation. There will be a number of great, talented drivers competing in the race and like always it will be great fun and very competitive. I am sure there will be a great number of spectators to watch this event and support the charity.
My first year in cars hasn’t been as promising with the results as I would have liked but I am hoping, if we get the budget for next year, I can move up through the ranks and bring out the better results.
If interested in helping me for 2013 please contact me on:
@tilletlaura
Laura
