After a five-month wait, Simon Andrews will finally be able to get back behind the wheel of his APR Volkswagen Racing Cup Golf GTI at the championship’s latest rounds at Spa-Francorchamps.
The paraplegic driver from Hampshire has been recuperating from a major operation in February which had left him a patient spectator for the year thus far, but is now well enough to contest the championship’s ninth and 10th rounds on July 13 at the Belgian Grand Prix circuit of Spa-Francorchamps.
“It’s been a frustrating time,” said Andrews, “but I had to recover from the operation and having Spa as a target for my return has helped keep me going. I haven’t raced since Donington Park last October but have done some testing and we reckon we have identified and cured a weak point in the Golf.”
The 35-year-old’s AWM/Warranty Direct Racing GTI is equipped with a DSG semi-automatic gearbox, Andrews one of two disabled drivers on the grid alongside KPM Golf GTI driver Philip Morris.
Andrews was unlucky at the Belgian venue here last season, running seventh before losing two spots after running out of fuel on the last lap, although this year he feels that he will initially find the pace a challenge to match as he beds back into proceedings after his lengthy period out.
He added: “The problem is that the pace of the VW Cup has moved on, but then again it is my team-mates Aaron Mason and Joe Fulbrook who are moving the pace on, so I am in a better position than most.”