- 9,303
- Norwich,Norfolk
- GTP_DaxCobra
As I sit here writing this on the forum where it all started, beer in my hand, I am still trying to get over the shock of it all. Earlier today I received the news that I had been selected to race for Roddison Motorsport / MX5OC entry into this years Race of Remembrance.
The Race of Remembrance is an 8 hour Endurance race at Anglesey. The race is dedicated to raising money for the Help for Heroes charity, helping injured soldiers get rehabilitated. More info here:
http://raceofremembrance.com
So, how did I get involved?
Well it all started when I went round my friends to help him put his engine back in his mx5. He told me about an opportunity to be apart of a race team for the Race of Rememberance Endurance race. Didn't think much of it, but what the hell, worth a try?
I sent off an email to the guy organising it, who just happened to be one of our local club members also so I knew him reasonably well.
I was then invited to the Blyton Big Weekender, a weekend track day event for the MX5 Owners Club at the Blyton Park Racetrack. I had to have a driving assessment and an interview to make it onto the team. A few other people had made it this far also, so I was competing to be one of the three drivers on the team.
Skip forward to the weekend just gone. I left work a little bit early on the Friday, picked the girlfriend up from her house and left off for Blyton, near Gainsborough, in my little MX5 with its boot completely filled with camping stuff. We arrived at the track around 8pm and set up our tent. The friend who had told me about it was also competing for the race seat so it was nice to share the experience with someone. I couldn't sleep that night. The tent was cold and I was far to excited for my first track session!
I had a 20 minute session in the morning, and as it was my first time on track in a car I had to get used to everything, but it was all so natural. I had a professional racing driver on board with me to give me some guidance and he couldn't believe it was my first time on track. I owe this to Gran Turismo, iRacing and go karting. It translated so well to real life driving.
I had to wait until the afternoon for my next session, 10 minutes in the rain. By now I was getting really confident in the car, on the brakes and through the corners. Despite having to learn the cars characteristics in the wet, I was passing everything and making massive improvements with only a few little oversteer moments.
After this, I had my interview in front of four judges to see if I was capable of representing the MX5OC in a motorsport event that is going to be aired live on TV. I'd love to say I nailed it but that would be a lie. I was a nervous wreck. Completely cocked it up. My last chance was the driving assessment, with a guy called Dave. This guy was an absolute inspiration. He is a racing driver in the Max5 championship, and a double amputee. He got in the car with me to evaluate my driving abilities, and I'd only had 30 minutes in the car up to this point.
Long story short, other than a minor (Read: Almost binned it but somehow managed to correct it and continue on my lap) slide, I nailed 3 laps and was lapping at 1min 23secs on my first flying lap, and everyone else on track was hovering around the late 29s and early 30s.
11231349_998325060185982_963898868_n.mp4
Dave was impressed, I was happy with my performance and after watching a little bit more track action, I packed up my tent and left the circuit to begin the 3 hour journey home.
I had done all I could do. Now I had to wait to find out whether I had made the cut... Which I now know I had. Also, my friend had made it in too. (The guy pictured behind me below)
So today I found out I made the team. I am now, if everything goes to plan, fulfilling a lifelong dream at 19 years old by entering an actual motorsport event, which will be televised on TV.
Where do I go from here? Now I have to apply for my ARDS, which is a test to obtain a race license. Then it's a case of getting my sponsorship deals sorted and getting all the gear.
This thread will be used to keep track of my progress. Test sessions and more news to come.
The Race of Remembrance is an 8 hour Endurance race at Anglesey. The race is dedicated to raising money for the Help for Heroes charity, helping injured soldiers get rehabilitated. More info here:
http://raceofremembrance.com
So, how did I get involved?
Well it all started when I went round my friends to help him put his engine back in his mx5. He told me about an opportunity to be apart of a race team for the Race of Rememberance Endurance race. Didn't think much of it, but what the hell, worth a try?
I sent off an email to the guy organising it, who just happened to be one of our local club members also so I knew him reasonably well.
I was then invited to the Blyton Big Weekender, a weekend track day event for the MX5 Owners Club at the Blyton Park Racetrack. I had to have a driving assessment and an interview to make it onto the team. A few other people had made it this far also, so I was competing to be one of the three drivers on the team.
Skip forward to the weekend just gone. I left work a little bit early on the Friday, picked the girlfriend up from her house and left off for Blyton, near Gainsborough, in my little MX5 with its boot completely filled with camping stuff. We arrived at the track around 8pm and set up our tent. The friend who had told me about it was also competing for the race seat so it was nice to share the experience with someone. I couldn't sleep that night. The tent was cold and I was far to excited for my first track session!
I had a 20 minute session in the morning, and as it was my first time on track in a car I had to get used to everything, but it was all so natural. I had a professional racing driver on board with me to give me some guidance and he couldn't believe it was my first time on track. I owe this to Gran Turismo, iRacing and go karting. It translated so well to real life driving.
I had to wait until the afternoon for my next session, 10 minutes in the rain. By now I was getting really confident in the car, on the brakes and through the corners. Despite having to learn the cars characteristics in the wet, I was passing everything and making massive improvements with only a few little oversteer moments.
After this, I had my interview in front of four judges to see if I was capable of representing the MX5OC in a motorsport event that is going to be aired live on TV. I'd love to say I nailed it but that would be a lie. I was a nervous wreck. Completely cocked it up. My last chance was the driving assessment, with a guy called Dave. This guy was an absolute inspiration. He is a racing driver in the Max5 championship, and a double amputee. He got in the car with me to evaluate my driving abilities, and I'd only had 30 minutes in the car up to this point.
Long story short, other than a minor (Read: Almost binned it but somehow managed to correct it and continue on my lap) slide, I nailed 3 laps and was lapping at 1min 23secs on my first flying lap, and everyone else on track was hovering around the late 29s and early 30s.
11231349_998325060185982_963898868_n.mp4
Dave was impressed, I was happy with my performance and after watching a little bit more track action, I packed up my tent and left the circuit to begin the 3 hour journey home.
I had done all I could do. Now I had to wait to find out whether I had made the cut... Which I now know I had. Also, my friend had made it in too. (The guy pictured behind me below)
So today I found out I made the team. I am now, if everything goes to plan, fulfilling a lifelong dream at 19 years old by entering an actual motorsport event, which will be televised on TV.
Where do I go from here? Now I have to apply for my ARDS, which is a test to obtain a race license. Then it's a case of getting my sponsorship deals sorted and getting all the gear.
This thread will be used to keep track of my progress. Test sessions and more news to come.
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