Hello again,
Sorry for the delay in getting my blog ready, we really have been flat out. During this month long break a lot of development work is being carried out on the A Class Mercedes. We are a tenth or two from having some really good results and the entire team are doing their best to find them.
Thruxton was another solid weekend for us with another good points haul. Things have been a little tricky with no set up data but I qualified in tenth, only 0.783 of a second off pole. As we were unable to test at the track, I was quite happy with qualifying.
The three race results were ok. I had a 9th in the first race followed by two 8th place finishes. I started the last race in 3rd and we had managed to dial the car in better and better as the day progressed. Unfortunately, Rob Collard in his BMW collided with me whilst holding 3rd going into Church Corner, the fastest Corner of any race track in the country. I managed to save the slide and rejoined the race, my car had been slightly damaged and there were lots of accidents and safety car periods. I still managed to nurse the WIX Racing Mercedes home in 8th but was a little disappointed as the car felt mega and I was fairly confident of a really good result. Rob apologised for causing me to run off the track after the race for which I was grateful. At the speed we travel into corners contact is inevitable and it’s just a racing incident.
Oulton is our next race and my local track we are using the international layout for the first time this year, which is another brilliant overtaking opportunity. People often ask me if I get bored during the racing breaks. I don’t!! The WIX Racing team’s year is structured and development intensifies during the breaks, so long hours in the workshop, testing, testing and more testing are always guaranteed. I also do quite a lot of race driver coaching, my day job. I think in the 5 week break I have two full days booked off, so it’s all go.
WIX Racing has joined Forces with Mission Motorsport, a charity set up to assist injured soldiers in finding employment or even in the case of Davie Birrell, racing a car. I have worked with Davie before, he lost both of his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan, he is a top bloke and a brilliant race driver. The injured lads came to the BTCC media launch day at Croft. Once the media part of the day was over I had a few hot laps with Davie, first with me driving then him, his feeling for what the car is doing and his pace is incredible. Mission Motorsports is a perfect charity partner for the WIX Racing team and I am really looking forward to working with them in the future.
I am off to the gym then the workshops followed by a week away developing the car and finishing with a test on Friday, all leading up to Oulton Park. Look forward to seeing you soon.
All the best
Adam