Monday 11th November 2013

Caterham Academy 2013: Silverstone

A successful championship finale at Silverstone for our Academy competition winner

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I arrived at Silverstone on the Friday morning for the standard pre-race testing hugely excited, long having wanted to drive this circuit. Two corners I was particularly keen to experience were Abbey and Stowe, two of the fastest on the circuit. Fast is fun in my opinion!

Dan battles his way through at Silverstone

Two 50-minute overspill practice sessions gave me enough time to learn the circuit and get up to speed. The weather forecast was saying rain but luckily it held off, enabling me to drive the circuit at full speed.

I got up to a reasonable pace within a short space of time during the first session. I somehow managed a 1:20.68 within 15 laps! This gave me great confidence for the next session. Abbey and Stowe didn't disappoint either, both putting a huge smile on my face. I heard the F1 guys take Abbey flat out at 180mph! I would love to experience what that feels like.

My second session on track was so much fun. My good mate Jack Sales from Academy Group 2 was on track and we had a good track battle together. Over five laps or so we swapped places constantly. Although when I say 'battle' I mean let each other pass; you can't race on test days of course... Those five laps were one of my best memories from the year so far.

Downpour made for a scary final two laps!

Silverstone was wet the next morning. With no prior experience of the circuit, I knew qualifying could be difficult. After giving the car a once over I noticed that my rear tyres were looking past their best and this could potentially cause a problem on a slippery track surface.

The track was definitely slippery and it felt like I didn't have any grip. Lap times were 16 seconds slower than in the dry. I qualified fifth with a lap time of 1:36.825. I was too tentative in the opening laps and should have pushed more, only setting my fastest time on the penultimate lap. As the afternoon went on the track seemed to be drying out, exactly what I wanted to happen. If it was dry then I would have a chance at the win.

Third place finish a great end to the season

Race time! The lights went out and I had a terrible start. The racing line was on the left side of the grid and my side was still a bit damp so I ended up with terrible wheelspin and I instantly dropped back to seventh or eighth. I was back to sixth by the first corner and then managed to put a move on fifth place by Village. I got a good exit through the link and made my way down Hangar Straight. The slipstreaming is massive down there and everyone was pretty much taking the defensive line. I braked late and got round the outside of fourth place Horton. I was really happy to make this move stick, then instantly lined up third place Hutchinson and tried to catch him by surprise. The move was a bit touch and go and luckily he gave me racing room. I don't think I would've tried this move with anyone else.

I started closing on second place Houston and managed to make a move going into Village corner. It was a great opening couple laps for me, going from eighth to second. The remaining laps were a massive battle between Hutchinson, Houston and me. We were constantly swapping places. I managed to pull off my favourite overtaking move at Stowe twice which was hugely satisfying. It was the penultimate lap when the heavens opened.

Another iconic circuit raced on by Dan

This turned the race into utter chaos as there was no grip and the car was aquaplaning constantly. Hutchinson sneaked past to snatch second place from me but I managed to successfully navigate my way round to the chequered flag. The conditions were horrendous and it was a big enough achievement just keeping it on the black stuff. I finished in third place, my third podium of the year. I was over the moon and was so happy to finish the year in style.

I arrived in Parc Ferme to see my family. It was such a nice feeling to perform well in front of them and take a spot on the podium at Silverstone.

This year has been amazing and all my dreams of racing have been realised. I would like to thank PistonHeads, Caterham and Autosport for this fantastic opportunity. Never did I dream that I would be chosen from the finalists at Caterham's F1 Factory back in February.

Fourth overall a brilliant result; good work!

This would never have happened if it wasn't for Jennifer Grace (Caterham Championship Coordinator) and Paul Garlick (PistonHeads). They interviewed me back in February and believed in me. I've met so many great people this year which I can now call friends. Unfortunately the car has to return to Caterham as I cannot afford to continue racing next year.

Motorsport is everything to me and I believe I did PistonHeads proud by performing well this year with a limited budget and no racing tuition. I drove the car to every event and back home. It has been pure racing in my opinion.

I would like to thank my Dad for his support this year. He has travelled to every event with me and I wouldn't have been able to get the results if he wasn't there. I would also like to thank my Mum, sisters Katie and Sam plus all my mates for their support.

My overall position in the championship was fourth.

Season review video here

 

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Results:

Sprints
Aintree - 5th Place
Snetterton - 7th Place
Blyton Park - 4th Place

Races
Donington Park - 3rd Place
Brands Hatch - 14th Place
Rockingham - 2nd Place
Silverstone - 3rd Place

[aarondbs]

That is a fantastic result and a great season for your first. Congratulations and I hope its not the end of your Motorsport 'career'. Like many on PH I am sure I am a little envious as many of us would love the experience. Probably more than a few of us believe we can drive too having won the office and corporate go-karting trips but would probably quickly realise how much better others really are given the chance on track.

Well done again and I hope someone gives you another opportunity.

Edited by aarondbs on Monday 11th November 16:04