Hi everyone,
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog looking back on the start of the season.
It has been an up and down start to the year for me. From the outset, I am so chuffed to have got a win and a second place out of the first two rounds. Considering how long I have watched the series, I am well aware of how competitive it is so to have two podiums already under my belt is a great feeling and it certainly bodes well for the future in the eyes of United Autosports.
However, with these positive results has come a level of inconsistency. I suppose it is expected of a rookie but given how up and down I seem to be on the timesheets, there is definitely some aspect that I am not on top of yet.
At the very top of my list of ‘driver excuses’ is something that a majority of the grid seems to be struggling with. This is the new front tyre compound that the Ginetta Supercup is using. The idea is to increase the life of the tyre, which in previous years, has struggled at the more abrasive circuits such as Thruxton. My personal issue is that it is a complete lottery as to whether I get the most out of the tyre during qualifying.
Davenport During His “Awful” Thruxton Weekend – Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography
This is clearly a significant issue as it means I am immediately on the back foot during qualifying and therefore I have to battle through to the front over a race weekend. It is certainly helping my race craft but I would relish the opportunity to race from the front, as we did in Race 3 at Brands. However, after the awful weekend I have just had at Thruxton, something needs to be done about it before we head to my favorite track, Oulton Park.
Thanks to the support of Duo and Hendersons, I am hoping to overcome this issue during our upcoming test at Oulton Park. Rob Bell, Carl and I will be spending a day up there working on getting the most out of new tyres. It is an awesome track, the circuit where I took my first pole position and race win. I really hope to have a productive day which will help towards earning me some more consistent front running results.
All the best,
Luke Davenport
