Coaching News

30/11/2009

Some background to the 2009 season

2009 has been one of the toughest seasons yet. Starting in the depths of recession I ended up with one of my busiest ever seasons although there’s no denying the formation of Piranha Motorsport in August effected my available coaching time in a negative way. A balance has now been found with the arrival of regular staff at Piranha.

Caterham racing was as usual the mainstay of my coaching for no other reason than there is no way of going faster in the fiercely competitive Caterham Championships, than actually working on the driver. No amount of engine rebuilding, buying new tyres or changing the cars set up changes that simple fact.

I did encounter a very interesting “what have I done” moment in 2009 at the last race in Roadsport B. As most people will know I coach 2008 Academy and now 2009 Roadsport B Champion Trevor Fowell, but after an introduction by Trevor to Paul Begley I began coaching Paul as well. In the last race at Snetterton, Trevor only needed to finish 2nd to Gordon Sawyer to win the title having set fastest lap the day before. But who should be in a straight 2way battle with Trevor but Paul, the man I coached only the week before! On the one hand I really wanted Paul to gain 2nd place making his best ever result and on the other I wanted Trevor to be Champion. As it turned out Trevor’s race craft kept him in front with Paul taking 3rd but to see such a solid and clean drive from both and with so much at stake you can guess I lost more hair!

On another note at the last race it was great to see both Fauldsport Roadsport A drivers Jonathan Ramsay and Jamie Orton drive so well. Jonathan proved he can drive in the wet taking yet another podium finish in a very hard fought race whilst Jamie took a brilliant 2nd in race 1 leaving the field for dead. Had he not been racing a "ringer" from another team desperate to beat us Jamie would have gained his first ever win by miles. Poor Simon Roche however was right royaly robbed by the selfish incompetance of another driver who pulled straight into Simon's path after spinning and destroyed his car!

For anyone interested I am planning to run a car control day somewhere in January, February time. I imagine it will cost around £500 including track hire and my time but the details will very much depend on interest. Anyone interested should get in touch with me via email and will keep you posted.