Ahead of his Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup return at Croft this weekend with Century Motorsport, The Checkered Flag caught up with Max Coates to discuss his return and his hopes for the weekend.
The meeting will mark Coates’ return to competitive racing action after eight months away, the Yorkshireman having only competed in one meeting since the Croft meeting this time last year, when he took a G50 victory in front of his home crowd.
Following the lengthy break on the sidelines, he is relishing the opportunity to get back on track and show what he can do.
“I’ve missed it big time,” he told thecheckeredflag.co.uk. “The last eight months, being away from it, has been horrible. I get race-sick, if you want to call it that, normally during the off-season, let alone watching four meetings of the year go by. I’m really grateful for getting the chance to be back, to everybody who’s supported me, and I can’t wait to get back out in a car again.”
Coates’ last action was in the final rounds of the 2012 Supercup at Brands Hatch, when he made his debut in the G55 category with Century Motorsport backed by theplayer.co.uk, taking a best finish of fifth. Buoyed on by his performance in the car that weekend, the MSA Academy member is targeting podiums and race wins this weekend.
“We obviously raced that car last year and it went well,” he commented. “It’s probably the best opportunity I’m going to have this season, so I’m taking it with both hands. I’ve got one weekend at the moment to show what I can do, and I’ve got a point to prove.
“In all honesty, I want to go out there and win. We had the pace last time to be right at the front, in the top three, so I’ve got no reason to think that we can’t run at the front this weekend. We’re aiming for podium finishes in as many races as possible, and I’d like to think I could win one.”
After sitting on the sidelines for the first four meetings of the year, the David Mason London brand amdassadis hoping to impress in the G55 this weekend, so he can attract sponsors and remain in the seat for the duration of the season.
“I’d love the drive for the rest of the season, but it will come down to budget,” he added. “We’ll see how it goes this weekend, in terms of performance, and in terms of how happy the sponsors are, and we’ll take it from there.”
*To celebrate his return to the grid, Max has unveiled a new official ‘Max Coates Racing’ t-shirt, for sale at £10. All owners of the t-shirt will receive an exclusive garage tour at Croft. For more details, and to see the design, message him on Twitter @MaxCoates71
