Tuesday 21st October 2014

Caterham Academy 2014: Silverstone

Season finale time for Matt in the Academy - best make the last outing a good one

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An apology first off. A deeply embarrassing one. The time spent in the Strakka sim before the Silverstone Academy race wasn't of any use at the weekend. Well it will be when I race at Silverstone National but the Academy finale was on the International. How I got the two confused is unfathomable. Sorry. What a plonker.

A rare straight moment in qualifying

Still, I did have some experience having done a track day on the GP track. But of course the circuit is not exactly the same and qualifying in the wet is a very different prospect to a dry track day. I wish the GoPro had been rolling for quali as it was one of the best motoring experiences ever.

It was so slippery, every corner (and straight!) required real concentration. Get it wrong and the spin was fairly big (Vale chicane, Club and very nearly on the first corner, just for example) but get it right and there's no better feeling than slithering around Silverstone in a Seven. The best corner for it was Stowe, and not just for alliterative effect. The dry line was lethal but off it not much better. In the wet it feels like you are crawling round so I was often on the throttle too early. Then it's sideways and, well, may as well ride it out now we're here. But through the locked brakes, spins and slides I'd bagged fifth. Result! If it could just stay wet for the race...

It didn't. The promised rain never arrived and a clear dry line emerged for the afternoon's race. Some guys on the grid had spent two days at Silverstone in the dry testing during the week, hence my post-qualifying rain dance. They would be helped by dry conditions and I would be hindered.

Somehow this didn't end in tears

And that's exactly what happened. As I was relearning braking and turn in points the others put their testing experience to good use. From fifth I made an alright start but then too many mistakes. A couple of horrendous runs onto the Hangar straight saw cars come past (four in a group on one lap) and in trying to stick with them I wasn't concentrating on doing the lap properly. You'll see a lot of turning in too early which I just thought I'd point out now. I was also conscious that the car was soon returning to Caterham, would be required to get me home and a DNF means no signature on the licence upgrade card. So look elsewhere for gung-ho outbraking manoeuvres. Such as everyone around me.

But it was another fantastic race. I'd like to think a little more practice could have seen me stay in the top five (amazing how quickly racing driver excuses set in) but eighth isn't a bad result. You just always want to do better.

As a proper send off for the Academy there was a 'Trophy' race on Sunday. One grid, 34 Caterhams, 15 minutes. I was starting 10th, every single mirror full of Sevens. Marvellous. As expected it was carnage, with bold overtakes and spins at seemingly every corner. The first few laps were some of the best racing I've had all year. But I couldn't hold on to the fastest group and just tried to get round without drama and pick up places where possible. It was sad to see my last race finish on a red flag but what a great final experience until then. The video for that race should be brilliant.

Definitely as much fun as it looks

With the last event done and the car returning to Caterham tomorrow, my Academy adventure is very sadly over. I've finished seventh in my group overall which I'm pretty chuffed with given the whole half throttle saga and the fact I'd not driven Rockingham or Croft before turning up. The car will be used now as Bookatrack's Academy taster car, so at least I'm not the worst driver it will ever have...

As for the Academy overall, it's hard to not be hugely positive about the championship. The camaraderie between your fellow drivers, the superb racing and the support from Caterham make for an excellent introduction to motorsport. Your racing car is also one of the best road cars around as well, ideal for those weekends when there isn't an event. Add 20 per cent to the predicted figures you have for time and money involved and you'll have so much fun. It's been an absolute joy and a privilege to race in the Academy; if there's any way you can make the man maths work, please do it. I guarantee you won't regret it.

Part one of the race here and part two here. I started the GoPro too early! Trophy race to follow tomorrow.

Part one

Part two

[Pics: SnappyRacers]

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Caterham Academy 2014 - Game on!
Caterham Academy 2014 - Handling day
Caterham Academy 2014 - Test day
Caterham Academy 2014 - Aintree Sprint
Caterham Academy 2014 - Blyton Sprint
Caterham Academy 2014 - Oulton Park
Caterham Academy 2014 - Rockingham
Caterham Academy 2014 - Brands Hatch
Caterham Academy 2014 - Croft

[Turbobanana]

Matt
Great write-up, thanks.
I was up there with my 7 year old for the Sunday Service and was struck by how windy it was - did you notice much of that in the car?