Thruxton Circuit near Andover plays host to rounds five and six of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and it is fair to say that the Celtic Speed boys and I have wiped the slate clean after our recent roller coaster ride and we are ready to go racing at the fastest circuit in the UK.
I know I can get podiums and win races at this level as we proved last year and our pace up to this point has been really strong, so this weekend will be all about putting together decent sessions and having a complete weekend. I am not focusing on results, I will just try to do my best in every session to extract the most out the car and the track. If I put in a good consistent performance then I know Celtic Speed will give me a good car and the results will come.
I am excited about getting back in the car and going to Thruxton. It will be my first time at the track since we got our maiden podiums there last year, but I haven’t forgotten its many challenges. It is extremely fast, so you have to be totally committed and have full confidence in your machine.
It is going to be tricky because the other guys have tested there twice this season, but it is a track that suits my style.
We are in fifth gear and above 140mph for most of the corners around the back and Church corner is almost taken flat out but not quite. The car is really dancing on the edge over the bumps in the quick stuff - we are also faced with large apex kerbs in the two slow speed chicanes which really mix it up.
With the surface being very abrasive, our tyres will go off early on and will become very difficult to drive. You need a smooth driving style and have to think about the whole race and not just the opening lap.
We go straight in to qualifying on Saturday afternoon without any Friday practice session, so I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead!
Weekend Timetable
Saturday
Qualifying - 12.00 - 12.30
Sunday
Race 1 - 11.10 (21 laps)
Race 2 - 16.25 (21 laps)
ITV4 will broadcast the action from race 2 live at 16.25 on Sunday afternoon. Please note that TSL Timing link below has an excellent live timing feature at the bottom of the screen which allows you to track every lap as it happens:
Once again, I’d like to say a big thank you to Celtic Speeds Team Principal Tommy Dreelan and the following companies for their continued and loyal support;