Season
The 2015 season, it’s been a frustrating one, but I believe the call I made at the beginning of the year was the right decision, to sit out rather than risk a half-hearted title challenge due to lack of finances to do it properly, which could have potentially tarnished the successful reputation I had built up in 2014.
I’ve managed to pick up some spontaneous drives throughout the year with a maximum lead time of around seven days which has been a strange situation to be in, however I can’t complain in the slightest as I ended up behind the wheel which is the main thing!
My coaching has had a successful season, my drivers have picked up ten wins over the season which I’m proud to have been a part of, and have enjoyed the challenge of bringing on drivers and achieving a great results! Big well done to Ben Green, Rob Boston Racing & Team BRIT for a successful 2015 season!
Silverstone
Being in the BTCC paddock working with Ben Green has allowed me to be “in the loop” still with everything that was going on. So when I heard there was a potential seat going in the Supercup at Silverstone I put myself forward …
It all looked as though it wasn’t going to happen until 18:15 Thursday, the evening before testing began, when I got the call from Ginetta asking if I could drive for them – meaning I’ve driven for Ginetta works teams either side of the Atlantic in 2015!
The weekend was a case of playing catch up. The Team LNT GT3 mechanics were running me, meaning they had little experience with the GT4 car. Teaming up with GT Academy Australia winner Matt Simmons, I was to lead the team in terms of setting the car up from fresh!
I ran a brand new car over the weekend meaning I had to run in the car in FP1, before FP2 was described as red flag central, meaning I didn’t get a chance to run the new Michelin tyre and perfect the set up before qualifying – meaning I qualified in my worst position ever in the Supercup of P8!
Pittard Pushed Forwards In Both Silverstone Races – Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography
I fluffed start in race one and dropped to P11 by midway through lap one. I fought back to sixth which I was happy with considering Silverstone National is quite a hard circuit to pass on in a Ginetta. A double overtake into Brooklands on lap one was a highlight of the race!
I still a bad start in race two, got out the train and dropped to eighth after lap one. I’m blaming being standing start rusty! However again, I was able to show every increasing pace as the race progressed and pass more cars up to fifth which I was relatively pleased with…. however a podium should have been on the cards
Sidelines
As mentioned it’s been a frustrating season on the sidelines looking for opportunities, but mainly looking for the next sponsor that would be able to help going into 2016!
It’s given me a slightly different perspective, now I’ve finished university and entered the world of work, I feel I can approach motorsport more commercially rather than as a sport as I look to make my career.
As mentioned the coaching side to my year has been very successful. It has just been topped off by being chosen to be Chief Instructor/Head Judge for the Want2Race competition alongside BTCC race-winner Paul O’Neill, which was a great recognition, and I enjoyed the extra pressure of deciding Phil Ingram as the winner!
2016?
I’ve made my voice known that I want to compete in GT3 machinery in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship in the 2016 season.
I had a productive time at Donington during the final round of the British GT season, where I could meet with many teams and discuss options going into 2016. So it’s a case of finalizing the budget for the season and a driver pairing!
…and finally,
I’m currently in the running for Race of Champions ROC Factor. It’s a chance to win the opportunity to compete against the best talents in motorsport in the world, including Vettel, Ricardo, Coulthard and my old mentor Plato, in the shootout format at the Olympic Stadium!
Please vote for me, in return you’ll be in with a chance to win 2X VIP tickets to the event, and I’ll even pick you up in a sports car! For more information see here: http://www.davidpittard.co.uk/win-hospitality-passes-at-race-of-champions-olympic-stadium/
