Silverstone GP - with Max Hart
We woke to a very damp Silverstone Circuit on Friday morning for testing. I had a new engine to run in so getting the feel of the track, along with running in the engine meant that the testing sessions 1 - 3 were very slow, but it was bucketing down so I didn't mind too much. The final session, which I was looking forward to getting out on the track and learn the track at a proper pace, getting a feel for it but the track was deemed unsafe for testing and was red flagged! So, qualifying was to be my learning curve, not for the first time, so an early night, clear head and ready for early qualifying was the team order! There were 50 cars on the grid for the weekend, so I got down to assembly early so as to get a clear run. That didn't quite go to plan though as I only got approx. 2 laps before I met traffic. I logged a time good enough for P9 overall and 2nd in class, which wasn't too bad considering the traffic issues. I knew I had pace to find, so getting a good start was what I needed. Due to the number of cars on the grid, officials decided that a rolling start was the safest option to get the race underway. This was unfortunate as I was not to be able to meet my usual standard of start! However, I managed to hold P9 for much of the race, after a couple of mistakes on lap 1. I was pushing too hard, and had a few ‘moments’, I had difficulty with front end grip and was pushing the car as it seemed we had a bit of a tyre problem. I managed to jump to P8 by the end of the race, securing 3rd in class which was a solid start to the weekend.
For Race 2, I was determined to get a better race than Race 1. We lined up in assembly, I got my head in the game and set out for the warm up lap. On the warm up lap, the rain started and everyone was on slicks. There was no opportunity for a tyre change, so we had to do the best we could with the slicks. Coming up to the start, I knew I needed lots of heat in my tyres, so I started warming them up vigorously to help grip with the first corner. Into first corner I managed to get ahead by one car around the outside, then into Maggots and Becketts I got a good run on the F3 car in front of me and overtook around the outside of Becketts. At Stowe I got a great run out and took a dive down the inside and took P4 from another F3. I was catching the next F3 but he managed to spin, so I benefited from that and slotted into P3. With two laps to go, I claimed a P2 overall and 1st in the Monomoto 1000 class, with only one F3 car beating me, which was a fantastic result. It felt amazing to be standing on the top of the podium at Silverstone Grand Prix circuit!
Big thanks to my team at Leastone Racing, especially Paul and Mark, to my sponsors Selco Hygiene Supplies, Adapt Paper, Total Oils and Little Dragon Supplements. Thanks also to the Monoposto Racing Club for a professional and well run weekend, as always. I’m really looking forward to Brands Hatch next week for the final two rounds of the championship.
Big thanks to my team at Leastone Racing, especially Paul and Mark, to my sponsors Selco Hygiene Supplies, Adapt Paper, Total Oils & Little Dragon Supplements. Thanks also to the Monoposto Racing Club for a great weekend. I’m really looking forward to Brands Hatch next week for the final two rounds of the championship.
