Dunlop Race Academy winner in a spin
New Ginetta boy makes promising start
Dunlop Race Academy winner, Andy Walker from Derby, finished his first official race at Brands Hatch over the weekend. He qualified 28th on the grid in the Ginetta G20 sportscar, ahead of two rivals in the Dunlop Drivers Cup Ginetta race, before making a sensational start to force his way into 18th place at the finish.
In the second race of the weekend, he made another impressive start from 28th (based on his previous qualifying time) but, on lap 10 he span into the crash barrier at the daunting Paddock Hill bend.
With a broken rollbar and shattered bodywork he was out of the race. However, the lifestyle of the racing driver continues for Andy. This weekend he will experience a celebrity ‘Racing Superstar’ lifestyle including a club class flight to Monaco for a two-night stay in David Coulthard’s Columbus Hotel, helicopter transfers and many more celebrity trappings.
Andy was chosen as the winner of the first Dunlop Race Academy from over 6000 entrants. He had to pass a fitness test, a panel interview featuring representatives from Dunlop, Ginetta and Britain’s top GT driver Calum Lockie, and a driving assessment.
James Bailey of Dunlop stated: “The first Dunlop Race Academy was a tremendous success. The fact that we had over 6000 applications proved that many people want to chase the dream of being a racing driver. Dunlop have a huge presence in both UK and International motorsport, and this was a way that we could put something back into the sport by offering the chance for the public to compete for this unique, racing opportunity.”
. V8 Archie said:
I nearly posted a comment earlier, but decided your blood pressure didn't need any encouragement .
Calmed down now
. Many thanks for being there to listen to the hail of expletives coming out of my mouth at the time Nigel. I hadn't got such a good start as our man, but five of the seven places that I'd lost were under yellow flags - hence original bad mood. The first three were debatable, as we were about four wide into Druids on the first flag. The other two were plain out of order.
Anyway, green flags again, and my first target to get back up the field was the Dunlop car. Nipped up the inside on the final bend, went down the start finish straight side by side - me still on the inside, waited for him to brake (which he did far too early), did my own braking and turned in. All good
(as I've mentioned on the other thread, this is as close to a planned maneouver as I get). Just at turn in got a mighty clout from behind. Now as we were driving the same car, and I braked far later than said Dunlop car, the only way that I can see this happening is if he was back on the gas (he was a little miffed at being squeezed out down the start / finish straight
). Now, as padock hill isn't the slowest of corners, almighty clout just pitched me off the track and straight into the tyre wall - looking very much like the second write off in three meetings. Totally unnecessary accident - I was far quicker and he shouldn't have even been infront if playing by the rules. Most annoying thing though is that there is no way that you should get hit from behind on the way into the corner if you brake later. Still, as the article does correctly state, the incident also ended Andy's race going backwards into the infield, so if he does get out again - which I seriously hope that he does - a lesson should have been learnt.
In the words of the CofC - I do not regard this as a racing incident.
As V8Archie will tell you I was not happy
. The good news however is that two wishbones, a few bushes, a ball joint and a bonnet later, the car was running again - only to retire from the last race due to a damaged brake line somewhere (must remember to fix that). So we will be out for Birkett.
All in all, an absolutely disasterous season championship points wise, but as a first go, we have had an absolute blast, learnt tonnes about the car, and now at least have the speed to be fairly respectable.
Just need to learn how to get to the finish now
>> Edited by daydreamer on Wednesday 6th October 11:08
k ups and had my car written off
However,Blodwynn, I'm not sure that a debate on fault for this collision is terribly constructive. As Richard says, we all have our own view and hopefully that will be clarified when we see the coverage. From where I was sitting, I thought it was a racing accident. As I said to Andy, he could have backed off to give Richard space to take the high line, equally Richard could have given Andy more room to work with. But both of those comments are 'could haves', not 'should haves', so I'm certainly not apportioning blame. I just think both drivers wanted the same bit of tarmac, and the inevitable happened, but I want to see the coverage too.
As the organiser of Dunlop Race Academy, i'm sorry that our winner's race ended with a collision. Until then, Andy had performed impressively for a total novice.
The Dunlop Race Academy was a massive success - with over 7000 entrants and a fair chunk of them coming from PH.
For those who missed out on being selected in 2004, you will be pleased to know we are close to finalising plans for the 2005 Academy. Get ready to enter!
The Academy is unique, being a free of charge event, unlike many scholarships that require payment to move up to the next stage. Thanks to all who supported it in 2005.
And Daydreamer - I'm sorry your season ended the way it did. I hope you do get out for the Birkett, and I look forward to racing with you next year, because, I have decided to buy a Ginetta myself!
I keep checking the TV listings, but haven`t seen mention yet either..... Did see you on 'Men & Motors' "Life of Tyres" though! ("Kate Russell presents a one-hour feature on the history and life of the tyre. This little thought about yet fascinating invention has a remarkable history and cars everywhere would be in a sorry state without it....").
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