My Dunlop race academy 2008 diary (will I crash and burn)?
Discussion
Well everypeeps I got a great phone call yesterday.
Beccy Boo bless her cottons told me I had made the semi final of the Dunlop Academy 2008.
Leading to a possible race at Rockingham in the Miltek Dunlop SEAT LEON Cupra.
My nuts really are on the line here as I am sure both Simon Norris and John Felstead will be crossing their fingers in the best possible way or stabbing voodoo wax dolls with vigour and a healthy dose of octane booster set alight to help me on my way..lol.
Pride really really could come before a fall in a big way after giving driving advice to Simon I am now under intense scrutiny myself..
But do I care , not on your nelly I am pinching myself in disbelief in getting this opportunity of a lifetime.
I shall be keeping a diary of my progress both on and off track.
Today I took a copy of my semi final acepting email to my local SEAT dealership.
Tommorow you should learn wether I have blagged a SEAT LEON CUPRA to drive to the semi finals at Donnington Park . (The dealer thinks its so he can get publicity as I have suggested he plasters dealer decals on it). I have really blagged it (fingers crossed) to get a better idea of the way the SEAT LEON cupra handles and runs albeit in heavier flabbier state and lower in power.
The dealer seemed quite enthusiastic so its looking good.
other than that I have had to do a head and shoulder pic for the files..see below..
I was a bit shocked when I saw it I thought it was my dad!!
Never mind. There will be some PR from Dunlop along the lines of an article in the local press about me so that will be er fun..
The gym starts in the morning as I have a plan to lose 6kgs before the semi final as there is a fitness test. Providing my back injury can take it.
If not I will just have to talk extra loud on the track.
wish me luck , good or bad , don't care I'm riding cloud nine right now.
Beccy Boo bless her cottons told me I had made the semi final of the Dunlop Academy 2008.
Leading to a possible race at Rockingham in the Miltek Dunlop SEAT LEON Cupra.
My nuts really are on the line here as I am sure both Simon Norris and John Felstead will be crossing their fingers in the best possible way or stabbing voodoo wax dolls with vigour and a healthy dose of octane booster set alight to help me on my way..lol.
Pride really really could come before a fall in a big way after giving driving advice to Simon I am now under intense scrutiny myself..
But do I care , not on your nelly I am pinching myself in disbelief in getting this opportunity of a lifetime.
I shall be keeping a diary of my progress both on and off track.
Today I took a copy of my semi final acepting email to my local SEAT dealership.
Tommorow you should learn wether I have blagged a SEAT LEON CUPRA to drive to the semi finals at Donnington Park . (The dealer thinks its so he can get publicity as I have suggested he plasters dealer decals on it). I have really blagged it (fingers crossed) to get a better idea of the way the SEAT LEON cupra handles and runs albeit in heavier flabbier state and lower in power.
The dealer seemed quite enthusiastic so its looking good.
other than that I have had to do a head and shoulder pic for the files..see below..
I was a bit shocked when I saw it I thought it was my dad!!
Never mind. There will be some PR from Dunlop along the lines of an article in the local press about me so that will be er fun..
The gym starts in the morning as I have a plan to lose 6kgs before the semi final as there is a fitness test. Providing my back injury can take it.
If not I will just have to talk extra loud on the track.
wish me luck , good or bad , don't care I'm riding cloud nine right now.
intrepid44 said:
Good luck Mark, would like to see you have another go at Warden Law though, looks like I may have to have a go at this next year. Couldn't try this year, as I think it's for 18+ year olds. But anyway, will be interesting to see how it all plays out for you.
Cheers Paul, You could have entered its for 17+You are a very good driver too. So far it has only been questions the driving test starts in a fortnight around Donnington which fortunately I have had professional tuition around.
If the rest have arrived into this competition through answering questions then hypothetically there may not be any really good drivers there...
But then when around 7000 or so usually enter there will likely be at least a couple of contenders for me.
I will do the next WL race I hope. I still haven't swapped my crankshaft oil seal and I think my kart is under 2 inch of dust in the garage but putting bread on the family table has been the main concern this year since. Praise the Lord for competitions like this.
Cheers John..
Ha how sad am I ,
I just spent 20 minutes sitting in a Leon FR..
(The AMD Dunlop car) I will hopefully win the drive in will be an FR.
It will be chipped to give 210bhp and a bhp per tonne of around 167 and they race on road tyres not slicks so it will be more or less comparable to my previous Petrol Cupra I owned which was chipped too. So the driving experience should be well within my grasp.
When the salesman came over I said , just looking and scurried out of the showroom....ooeerr...
Picked up some Leon BTCC piccies to get me in the mood..
Its feeling like christmas now when you are waiting for your toys and you keep looking at the picture from the catalogue and imagine you are playing with it.
This is probably my last ever chance to get behind the wheel of a racecar and sit on the startline waiting for the reds to go out..
So I am definately going to go out there fighting..
chocolate banned for two weeks..boy am I seriioouussssss.....haaaa..
Ha how sad am I ,
I just spent 20 minutes sitting in a Leon FR..
(The AMD Dunlop car) I will hopefully win the drive in will be an FR.
It will be chipped to give 210bhp and a bhp per tonne of around 167 and they race on road tyres not slicks so it will be more or less comparable to my previous Petrol Cupra I owned which was chipped too. So the driving experience should be well within my grasp.
When the salesman came over I said , just looking and scurried out of the showroom....ooeerr...
Picked up some Leon BTCC piccies to get me in the mood..
Its feeling like christmas now when you are waiting for your toys and you keep looking at the picture from the catalogue and imagine you are playing with it.
This is probably my last ever chance to get behind the wheel of a racecar and sit on the startline waiting for the reds to go out..
So I am definately going to go out there fighting..
chocolate banned for two weeks..boy am I seriioouussssss.....haaaa..
Edited by mark69sheer on Thursday 26th June 14:41
Just got back from the local dealers yaayy again...
He has just shook my hand and commited to loaning me a Leon FR to take to the semi finals.
A photo event and a little PR for the local press will be following too...
Who knows maybe I will be able to twist his arm to sponsoring a SEAT FR in next years series if I do well in this Academy.
He was scratching his chin for a moment as he considered actually giving me a sponsored car to drive full time!!!
I told him , lets wait and see how I do first..lol..
He has just shook my hand and commited to loaning me a Leon FR to take to the semi finals.
A photo event and a little PR for the local press will be following too...
Who knows maybe I will be able to twist his arm to sponsoring a SEAT FR in next years series if I do well in this Academy.
He was scratching his chin for a moment as he considered actually giving me a sponsored car to drive full time!!!
I told him , lets wait and see how I do first..lol..
mark69sheer said:
Just got back from the local dealers yaayy again...
He has just shook my hand and commited to loaning me a Leon FR to take to the semi finals.
A photo event and a little PR for the local press will be following too...
Who knows maybe I will be able to twist his arm to sponsoring a SEAT FR in next years series if I do well in this Academy.
He was scratching his chin for a moment as he considered actually giving me a sponsored car to drive full time!!!
I told him , lets wait and see how I do first..lol..
make sure that the organisers know this ( although they may be reading) it shows you have the stuff that's required outside of the car, i.e. getting off your fat arse and finding some money to go racing. no one else will be turning up in a seat on the day. make sure it is absolutely spotless and park somewhere conspicuousHe has just shook my hand and commited to loaning me a Leon FR to take to the semi finals.
A photo event and a little PR for the local press will be following too...
Who knows maybe I will be able to twist his arm to sponsoring a SEAT FR in next years series if I do well in this Academy.
He was scratching his chin for a moment as he considered actually giving me a sponsored car to drive full time!!!
I told him , lets wait and see how I do first..lol..
Thanks for your words of support guys...and cheers for your advice Stockhatcher. I don't expect me to be allowed to get too much exposure for my car since the academy is sponsored by those good people at DUNLOP. However the appearance of a LEON FR trackside will gather interest I am sure since the prize drive is in a LEON.
It may well get dragged in to some of the group or background shots.
and (my god my first sponsors mention I feel like a pro)
big thanks to NIDD VALE for their faith in me.
It may well get dragged in to some of the group or background shots.
and (my god my first sponsors mention I feel like a pro)
big thanks to NIDD VALE for their faith in me.
Edited by mark69sheer on Friday 27th June 17:04
i see you are from the 'gate, i grew up there only left a couple of years ago to live in oxfordshire, i take it you went to nidd vale on leeds road?
what you've done there is a good start, if you make the final, try and have a word with the organisers to see if you can bring your sponsor and let him have a fast passenger ride or something.
hth
what you've done there is a good start, if you make the final, try and have a word with the organisers to see if you can bring your sponsor and let him have a fast passenger ride or something.
hth
stockhatcher said:
i see you are from the 'gate, i grew up there only left a couple of years ago to live in oxfordshire, i take it you went to nidd vale on leeds road?
what you've done there is a good start, if you make the final, try and have a word with the organisers to see if you can bring your sponsor and let him have a fast passenger ride or something.
hth
Yes Nidd Vale on the Leeds Road. Good idea about getting someone down from the sponsors. I was already thinking ahead to what I could offer to get Nidd Vale involved should I get the drive or even if I don't but the assesors validate my ability, There may still be a chance to Get Nidd Vale involved to sponsor an FR in the Sportmaxx next year. Need to get info on the TV exposure and any hospitality availability and of course what a team would cost to run a car. Perhaps Nidd Vale having so many mechanics would like to run a team anyway. They would be extremely green racewise but this series allows few mods so less to learn than other series and most importantly relatively cheap..... I have made four previous scholarship semi finals. My driving has never been a problem just my age I suspect.what you've done there is a good start, if you make the final, try and have a word with the organisers to see if you can bring your sponsor and let him have a fast passenger ride or something.
hth
My age may still be a problem but hypothetically since all the semi finalists have only had to answer questions online their driving experience may be more limited than mine and give me a chance to really shine out there.
Thorney said:
Good luck mate. We run Simon Shaw (previous winner of the Dunlop Academy) in an Astra VXR in the same series so you'll have fun thats for sure.
Thanks , yes Simon does look like he is having fun. More than me at the moment I stayed up till 3am last night watching you tube in car vids of Donnington. Some good some bad.Redgate is very late. The left kink down craners seems to be a mute point , some use the left kerb half way down some don't.
Mcleans very late turn in too. Goddards Chicane braking point seems to vary a lot. The slower cars brake right at the death while the quicker ones are easing off between the dunlop bridge and the turn off to the Melbourne Loop.
I guess the FR braking point will be the where the tarmac bears left for the chicane to Melbourne.
Depending on the strength of the brakes and wether it still behaves if you trail the brakes into the Goddards first right apex..
Whatever I think I will be adding some plastic 'burns' to the side of the car with those marker posts..
Was getting a little paranoid thinking I had imagined the whole thing.
Then this email arrived...phew!!!
Hi everyone,
Many thanks for your patience whilst waiting for the itinerary for Donington to arrive. The day will start at 9am and run through until around 3pm. Please note that you will not be allowed in to the paddock area until 9am so there is no point in arriving early on the day.
9AM – INTRODUCTION
9.30AM – BRIEFING
10AM – MORNING SESSIONS IN THE PORSCHE, SEAT LEON AND MEDIA TESTING
12.30PM – LUNCH
1PM – AFTERNOON SESSIONS IN THE PORSCHE, SEAT LEON AND MEDIA TESTING
2PM – RESULTS
For directions to Donington Park, please visit: http://www.donington-park.co.uk/about-us/direction...
Please enter Donington Park via the Main Entrance (clearly signposted from the A453). Please note that there is currently no access via the Pits and Paddock entrance.
On arrival in the paddock area, please head to the Paddock Suite and we will be in the Photographers Viewing Lounge within that building.
I can be contacted on the day if you have any problems on XXXX XXXXXX. I will see you on arrival.
Many thanks,
XXXXX XXXXXX
Calum Lockie will be my assesor in his own Porsche 968cs and Simon Shaw a previous Academy winner and currently driving in the Sportmaxx cup in a Vauxhall Astra for Thorney Motorsport.
Calum Lockie , I have great memories of watching the FIA gt with Calum racing. It was a golden era with some fantastic cars.
The Panoz 'Batmobile' being my favourite and what a noise... The mercedes CLK GTR of course and the Porsche (can't remember its name). Of course Calum in his Marcos. great times.
Then this email arrived...phew!!!
Hi everyone,
Many thanks for your patience whilst waiting for the itinerary for Donington to arrive. The day will start at 9am and run through until around 3pm. Please note that you will not be allowed in to the paddock area until 9am so there is no point in arriving early on the day.
9AM – INTRODUCTION
9.30AM – BRIEFING
10AM – MORNING SESSIONS IN THE PORSCHE, SEAT LEON AND MEDIA TESTING
12.30PM – LUNCH
1PM – AFTERNOON SESSIONS IN THE PORSCHE, SEAT LEON AND MEDIA TESTING
2PM – RESULTS
For directions to Donington Park, please visit: http://www.donington-park.co.uk/about-us/direction...
Please enter Donington Park via the Main Entrance (clearly signposted from the A453). Please note that there is currently no access via the Pits and Paddock entrance.
On arrival in the paddock area, please head to the Paddock Suite and we will be in the Photographers Viewing Lounge within that building.
I can be contacted on the day if you have any problems on XXXX XXXXXX. I will see you on arrival.
Many thanks,
XXXXX XXXXXX
Calum Lockie will be my assesor in his own Porsche 968cs and Simon Shaw a previous Academy winner and currently driving in the Sportmaxx cup in a Vauxhall Astra for Thorney Motorsport.
Calum Lockie , I have great memories of watching the FIA gt with Calum racing. It was a golden era with some fantastic cars.
The Panoz 'Batmobile' being my favourite and what a noise... The mercedes CLK GTR of course and the Porsche (can't remember its name). Of course Calum in his Marcos. great times.
My first picture of me in a sponsor shirt... how strange!!??
The garage have just PDI'd a brand new silver Leon 1.4 tsi as my 'company' car for the scholarship. Pick it up Monday afternoon. Drive to the Race Academy in it on Tuesday..
Fingers crossed I will be one of the two chosen from my group of seven semi finalists chosen to go to the final.
The garage have just PDI'd a brand new silver Leon 1.4 tsi as my 'company' car for the scholarship. Pick it up Monday afternoon. Drive to the Race Academy in it on Tuesday..
Fingers crossed I will be one of the two chosen from my group of seven semi finalists chosen to go to the final.
Pictured here is my 'lucky' mascot.
Sadly he hasn't brought me any luck in all the time I have known him so instead of his real name 'Lauda Bear' I have rechristened him 'Jonah'.
Should I not get into the final then the judges will have his blood on their hands as he will definately have to do the long walk of shame.
If you can think of a fitting send off preferably involving fire and blades or electricity then let me know..
If he gets me through to the final he will live to be fluffy another day..
Sadly he hasn't brought me any luck in all the time I have known him so instead of his real name 'Lauda Bear' I have rechristened him 'Jonah'.
Should I not get into the final then the judges will have his blood on their hands as he will definately have to do the long walk of shame.
If you can think of a fitting send off preferably involving fire and blades or electricity then let me know..
If he gets me through to the final he will live to be fluffy another day..
Polarbert said:
My mate did this, came second unfortunately.
I tried to enter this year but found the little computer game a bit of a pisstake. It showed no resemblence to anything. Just a little flash game they'd thrown in.
Are you sure you aren't thinking of the VXR one. That had a couple of dodgy games to do which may have been ok with a mouse but for me were hopeless on a touch pad. Seriously don't expect to hear back from that one.I tried to enter this year but found the little computer game a bit of a pisstake. It showed no resemblence to anything. Just a little flash game they'd thrown in.
Sorry to hear your friend came second that would be a nightmare , worse than not even making the final.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff