News - 2001

28 February 2001
Another season, another drive!

Well it's another season, another drive. This year I've decided to drive for Harlow Motorsport, based in Harlow, Essex of course! My co-driver for the forthcoming season will be Adam Simmons, who raced the car in last seasons Powertour. It's all been a bit fuzzy as to who exactly I'd be driving for; I actually decided to sign with 'Harlow' just 2 days before the Silverstone Pressday (Silverstone just happened to be on my birthday!).

What swung it for me was their highly professional attitude, professionally turned out cars, backed up with a really decent budget and the intention to do more than just British Championships. Yes, this year could very well see me doing selected rounds of the European Le Mans Series (E.L.M.S).



Silverstone had really awful weather. Wind, rain and eventually snow (lots of it too), meant that I only got about 10 laps in, but the familiarity of the GT3R Porsche meant that I instinctively knew that this was going to be a car I could win in. Anyway, I could put up with the suffering as 'Harlow' had booked a test session at the Almeria circuit in Southern Spain! Wow, time to get that passport book stamped again.

Funnily enough, Mark Sumpter, Mike Jordan and Shaun Balfe were also at Almeria, in Porsche GT3R's to boot. Thankfully I set the fastest lap of all of us (phew!), with a 1 minute 40.3 seconds. The test session was really good for me and the team. Sun and fast laps, can't beat it. Luckily I get another go on Dunlops, which I raced on last season, so I know my tyres will be in good shape to last races this season.

The 24th March will see me testing again, although back in the UK. This isn't so bad though, as I will be driving the car at my No1 circuit; Brands Hatch. It's real close to where I live. We've got a new RS engine, direct from the Porsche factory at Stuttgart to test and I have a bit of chassis evaluation to do as well, but it'll be good fun too.

So from it all going a bit quiet over Winter (bar the odd Robin Reliant race - don't ask!), it's all hands on deck and full steam ahead! Yup, I can't wait to get to Silverstone on March 31st for the first race. I've got a fast, well sorted car and team, got my head straight and I've got a decent co-driver. Just bring it on! Keep logging on to see how well we do.