Silverstone Walter Hayes Trophy Formula Ford
What a weekend it was at Silverstone. Had an absolutely fantastic time, learnt a huge amount, consistently got quicker and quicker and met some great people along the way.
Saturday we qualified 9th out of 20 for our heat race. Then went on to finished 7th in the race which put us straight into the semi-final and 37th out of 109 overall which was a fantastic achievement for my first race in the car.
Sunday started 19th for the semi-final but didn't go as planned. In an unfortunate incident the car in front braked early, so I put the front end of my car up the inside, he took a tighter line to try and cover me into the complex, cutting me off and pulling the front nose off as we took the corner. I continued the race but with considerable loss of aero performance it was difficult to make any ground up, so unfortunately finished 22nd out of 36, narrowly missing out on the finals.
That put me in a consolation race where I would start 7th. The heavens opened just before the start and I would go into the race with zero experience in the wet in the car. I made a good start getting up to 3rd before being hit three times within a lap on the same corner of the car. This put the handling significantly out, making the car crab and very difficult to keep in a straight line. I kept going, not wishing to pit and finish the weekend early, but going into Copse the rear switched ends pulling me off track and out of the race.
An unfortunate way to end the weekend, but so so many positives. To go straight into the Semi-finals and nearly make the Finals of the Walter Hayes first time in my debut car race was a huge success. Also to be just over a second off the fastest time all weekend, with 109 competing of some of the best professional racing drivers in the world, I am extremely happy and looking forward to building on it for the next one. I would finally just like to say that when I started racing this last weekend would have only ever have been a dream, but these people below made it possible and I am extremely thankful to all of you.
A huge thank you to Simon Green Motorsport, absolute pleasure to work with all of you throughout the weekend, working through the night at times to give me the best possible car.
A massive thank you to Jim Robertson, this weekend would not have been possible without you, supporting me every step of the way, it is hugely appreciated. Working with you in this short space of time has not only been very productive but also extremely fun. Also thank you for the awesome photos!
Richard Tarling for hire of the car/engine and also for all the helpful tips.
John Pratt at Izone for a brilliant sessions coaching on Wednesday.
My Mum and Dad for all the support and making it to watch me race cars for the first time, despite all the health problems.
I would also like to say a big thank you to my friends and family who have supported me through thick and thin, some of whom came to watch over the weekend, but also the ones who sent supportive messages, it meant a great deal!
10th November 2016
