As part of our warm-up for the next round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Rockingham this weekend, PH spoke to racing driver Guy Harrington. At just 21 years of age PHer Guy (aka 'guyh') is racing the Team Modena Lamborghini Gallardo...
How did you get into British GT driving?
I started in the Caterham Academy in 2004 with a lot to learn, but I'm a good listener so I think this helped my progression. I won the Caterham Academy, which I was thrilled about, being only 17 at the time.
For 2007, after driving in the Caterham Roadsport catergory and Caterham Cosworth C400 Eurocup and UK series, I was very lucky to have the option of moving up to British GT and racing with my old Caterham sparring partner and good friend Ben de Zille Butler. Throughout 2007 we raced the Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3 - what an awesome car!
For 2008 we chose the Lamborghini of Team Modena. Due to reasons out of our control at Oulton in the first race of the year, we used an F430 with Chad Racing but engine trouble hampered the entire weekend, resulting in us missing out on valuable points.
With Oulton behind us, Ben and I moved to Team Modena, racing the 2nd round of the British GT Championship at Knockhill in what was our first Lamborghini event. Unfortunately we had a lot of bad luck, but then you can't complain when driving a Lamborghini can you? We must start to have some good luck soon.
How does British GT differ from other forms of motorsport?
The British GT season involves a huge variety of manufactures of prestige marques, such as Aston Martin ,Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and Ascari, racing flat out against each other – it’s an amazing spectacle. You don't really get this mix in any other UK category, all the cars racing are the latest spec supercars, as you would find on the road.
What are the hardest things about racing GTs? And the best thing..?
The heat in the car. My trainer at Thruxton last year recorded my weight before and after the race and I had lost 2kg in liquid. And no I hadn't wet the seat for Ben, well not this time. And for those who know me, well I'm not exactly well built, so 2kg is a lot to lose. The heat makes it very easy to lose concentration and loosing that when doing 165mph into a braking zone isn't the safest thing to do. But that’s the thrill of racing.
The best thing is the whole driving experience, trundling out of the pit lane knowing you’re in a Gallardo GT3 and any minute you’re going to be flooring it and hearing that glorious V10 wail behind you. I'm a big kid in race cars, if it sounds good and flames, I'll race it.
Does it take up a lot of your time?
Yes, I tend to do a lot of fitness in the week up to the racing with my trainer Simon, who I have defected away from football to GT racing. There is a lot of working behind the scenes such as sourcing sponsors and meeting potential clients, almost a full time job. I also work for my sponsor Auto Lusso Club, the supercar hire company.
Which drivers do you admire in both British GT and in general?
Hmm, Allan Simonsen is a very quick British GT driver, vastly experienced and bloody fast. In other racing Kimi Raikkonen I admire, a true F1 driver, plenty of parties and lots of girlfriends!
What are your pastimes?
Aside from the obvious love of cars, I enjoy a good bike ride, business and technology.
You are quite young to be driving a Lamborghini – how does that feel? Are your friends jealous?
Very good. Racing has taught me a lot about how to handle a car on the limit; this has translated very well onto my road driving, I’m a lot safer now. To be honest my friends really enjoy the thrill of coming along to the races.
Have you driven a road-going Gallardo – how does it differ?
Yes I have, the road going Gallardo is very smooth compared to the race car and the race car is rear wheel drive and not 4WD like the road car, so there is a lack of grip in the rain that wouldn’t be there in the road one. Power wise it’s not massively different, but the gearshift on the race car is very, very quick.
What car do you drive day-to-day?
A Lovely Le Mans blue BMW E90 330i M sport. Needs a limit slip diff though, doesn't drift very well.
What’s in your £1million dream garage?
Well, that’s a tough one. I'd have an F430 Scuderia, Pagani Zonda, Porsche 962 Le Mans Car and that should take you to around a Million!
What speeds do you achieve when racing?
At a fast track such as Thruxton we will be touching around about 165 to 170mph . Which when you have to do this every lap, then brake down to 65mph for a corner, you have to be very accurate with your braking.
What’s your best ‘move’ when racing?
I like to out-brake people, the Lamborghini has tremendous brakes and taking advantage of this is always going to be a safe bet.
What is your favourite track?
In the UK it is Donington, many good memories from here. In Europe it has to be Spa, Belgium, I love it there, beautiful scenery and incredible corners.
How far do you hope to get in motor racing?
My dream is Le Mans, I know I have a lot to learn in racing but I'm going to keep building my experience and see where I end up. If it sounds good and goes well I'm happy.
Any tips on getting into racing in something like British GT?
Anyone interested in getting into British GT can drop me an email at gwaharrington@mac.com or through my website guyharrington.com and I would be more than happy to talk through all the options someone has entering British GT and the options beyond that. It's a great series with a mix of both gentlemen drivers and professional drivers.
Any driving tips?
Watch out for erratic drivers who you can't trust at speed, be prepared to take evasive action, oh and don't brake!
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