Well, Brands Hatch - a heart breaking story but also filled with kindness and positivity.
Brands is the track I’ve raced at most in my racing career, I’m no stranger to it, being my local track it’s also the one I’ve spectated at most too.
We arrived on Sat eve for the one day time attack event on the Sunday, racing during the tunerfest show.
After the disappointment of the 2 mechanical DNF’s at Cadwell last round I was keen to make amends, and build up some more championship points, going into Brands I had managed to keep my 2nd place in the championship, but only by 1 point.
We were first out at 10am for a quick 10 minute free practice, we had earlier been told in the briefing the schedule on track was tight today and if there was any red flags, that would mean end of session.
Free practice the track felt a little slippy due to the overnight rainfall, although it was not dry and bright, the track would dry up more during the day, we got in a few laps, being 34 cars on track it was hard to find some space with Brands Indy being such short laps, anyway another car unfortunately blew up and the session was red flagged and we made our way back to the paddock.
Car prepped for qualifying, I know I usually put my hot flying laps in towards the end of qualifying, but with the earlier warning about ending sessions, it was in my mind that I had to try and secure one early…… this was the beginning of the end!
On the second lap, I had a nice amount of space infront and behind me, and I just took too much kerb on the entrance to paddock hill bend, on still relatively cold tyres, this put the car into a slide, I tried to correct but then over corrected it, which spat me into the gravel at huge speed and the car started to barrel roll down the gravel hill towards the barrier, after 1 full spin on its roof it flipped and flipped again, until it came to a stop on it side against the barrier.
The Marshalls, who I cannot thank enough were there to help me within seconds, I unclipped myself and made my way over to the passenger door, trying to open it upwards, it was heavy, I had to stand on my steering wheel with the Marshall holding the door open for me to get out.
The medics were there immediately and made sure I could see my mum in the crowd and gave her a wave, so she knew I was ok. I was taken off to the medical centre to be checked over.
Cleared by the medical team, I made my way back to the paddock.
The car had been recovered back and the team had set to work on it.
We had so many offers of help, Ben Sharpe sent a couple of his mechanics over until the car was done, numerous other teams offered help, parts or go betweens asking scruiteeners questions.
My mum, brother and his friend worked relentlessly on trying to remove all the gravel which was all inside the car. While mechanics were on each corner trying to straighten it.
I took myself off with my dad in our Moho and had a good cry, I was sorry for my family as this will cost loads to fix, sorry I had let myself down and not been able to control the slide, sorry I had messed out the qualifying session for everyone else, and sorry I had potentially ruined my race weekend, when so many of our friends and family had paid money to come and see me race.
Anyway a few wise words from dad, saying cars can be fixed, it’s me being safe that matters and that everyone got back out to do the qualifying session made me think about how I can fix this weekend and make the best of a bad situation.
Everyone had worked so hard, the car was somehow miracuously ready for race one, however we must have missed the final call, as when I set off to the assembly area, the race had just started, so I didn’t get out to race, which was annoying as everyone had worked so hard in the previous couple of hours to get it ready! I felt bad for them.
Anyway, by the time I had driven over and back, it had loosened yet more gravel which was still hiding in the car. And once again my mum, dad and little brother got to work getting it out.
We were adamant we wasn’t going to miss the second race! We went over with plenty of time to spare, car was ready, I was ready. I would start from dead last, 29th on the grid.
I did the green flag lap, and lined up to take the start, the lights went out and I had a good start taking a couple of cars straight away on the corner that a couple of hours before had put my upside down in the gravel. I continued to make my way through the pack lap by lap picking drivers off.
I had one more moment on the paddock hill during the race, when the car got a little sideways but I managed to catch it and keep it going on the grey stuff! When I crossed the line I had managed to overtake 18 people, climbing to 13th overall and 5th in my class, collecting some much needed points.
I feel so lucky that I not only managed to get out of the accident unharmed, but also so lucky that so many people came and helped us get the car back out, and so lucky that I got back out to race, and show everyone who came to watch me, and I hope I put on a good show of overtaking!
Once again the Marshalls and medics did a fantastic job. My team are just the very best, the paddock of other drivers and teams were all fantastic and my friends and family who were all there helping and supporting me all day, they are the best.
During the day, so many random strangers came to find me to check I was ok, I really did appreciate each and everyone of you.
Now more than ever, I need your support, I have a little #Club28, where you can donate £28 and be in with the chance to win race day tickets, or LHR merchandise. If you can, I would really appreciate it if some of you can join! Or if you have a business or know anyone with a business who would be interested in sponsoring me, please get in touch.
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