Hi Everyone,
I hope you're all well! Sorry for the late blog but things have been pretty manic for me on and off the race circuit.
As you may not all be aware of but this season I am racing in the Formula Renault BARC championship, with multiple title winning team Fortec Motorsport. After a good season in the Porsche Carrera Cup last season we tried to complete a deal to compete in the Le Mans Series in LMP2, as my goal is to race in the Le Mans Series and at the Le Mans 24 Hours, after a very successful car in the ORECA LMP2 car. We were pushing for the deal all winter, but then decided that I was to test every week in the Formula Renault and compete in the BARC series to maximise my time in a race car, and be ready to the move up to the Le Mans Series in 2011. I have been testing every week in the Formula Renault, sometimes even three times a week so it has been busy! There is a very strong chance that you will see me in the Le Mans Series this season as well, we are negotiating a project that is looking very exciting and will lead into 2011.
Pre-season testing
Testing so far has gone very well for me and the team; we are the front runners in the championship and have been very quick. We had our first official tests are Croft circuit; I hadn't visited the circuit since I raced there in the Porsche Cup car so it was going to be different! I was P1 in the first 2 sessions and ended the day 0.076 off Dino Zamparelli who is my main title rival, we were 1.1 seconds clear of the 3rd placed car, and we both beat the pole time lap record from last year which was pleasing. On the 2nd day I topped all Formula Renault BARC sessions, it was good to be a comfortable margin ahead of the other runners and hopefully we can keep this momentum going. On the media day at Silverstone Dino pipped me by 0.035 in the first session and I topped the second session which was encouraging, it was me and Dino battling all day for the top spot, I ended the day in 2nd position which was again a very strong test.
My aim for the season is to win the title, and also the winter series crown too which we will be competing in too. Our first round is at Donington Park on April 23rd and 24th which I'm looking forward too, where I hope we can hit the ground running with some solid podium finishes and a win. It's going to be a long season but the more wins and podiums the better, this season I'm feeling a stronger driver than I ever have, and it's great to be going into the season as a strong title contender and good to have a multiple winning team behind me. Off the track I have been focusing hard on my physical fitness, where I am fitter and stronger than I have been, I have been training to be ready to drive any race car this season, there could be a few surprises on some of the race deals that I hope to unfold as I know them for Le Mans series and other odd one off races.
I will do another blog after the first few races, and I hope you all enjoy the racing season!
Everyone can follow my progress on the Archie Hamilton Racing, Facebook page
Best Regards,
Archie
