|
|
GT Debut for James marks him out as huge talent for future 2nd October 2007 Making his debut in the British GT Championship at Rockingham over the weekend has shown the huge potential James, from Werrington has in the super competitive world of sports car racing, sponsored by Lloyds TSB Wealth Management.  The dodge viper competition coupe with James at the wheel 23-year-old James stepped into a GT car for the first time on Friday at Rockingham, for the official test day prior to his first 2 races on Saturday and Sunday, in the awesome 8.3 litre 520hp Dodge Viper, to contest the last rounds of the British GT Championship with Team Trimite Brookspeed. Racing a GT car involves 2 drivers. James was paired with Italian driver Michaelangelo Segatori, for the two, 1-hour races. Running 2 Vipers for the weekend, James in the number 40 car was consistently the quickest driver in the team by some margin. Fridays testing was in very wet and difficult conditions, and by the end of the day he was within only 4 tenths of the championship leading Team RPM Viper of Mortimer & Ellis, who went on to win the championship by the end of the weekend.  James’ comment at the days end, “ wow, what a machine. It has huge power delivery, but seems quite forgiving to drive even in these very wet and slippery conditions. I’m really looking forward to racing tomorrow and Sunday”. On Saturday, qualifying was dry and was the first time James had driven the car in dry conditions. James put the car on grid 14 and Michaelangelo grid 20. Some set up adjustments were necessary for the car, which James agreed with his race engineer Andy. The stage was set for race 1.  James’ took over the car from Michaelangelo at the half way stage in 23rd position. By the time the race ended, James crossed the line in 10th place. What was more impressive however was the pace James drove the car at. Chasing the works Aston Martins, Mosler, Porches and Vipers, at times, James was the fastest car on the circuit, and for the last 10 laps or so was lapping as one of the top 3 fastest cars. This, after only 15 minutes of dry running time in the car, and against seasoned professional works racing drivers. In the words of his team manager, Martin Braybrook, “a truly magnificent performance from a very talented young man with such little experience of this type of racing He has a bright future.” Sunday saw some mechanical issues, but nonetheless James drove up to 9th before they set in, hampering any further progress before a pit stop had to be made and driver change, in order to finish the race. Albeit the time lost meant the overall placing in the race was not as good as it could have been, the team and especially James had put on a great showing for the huge crowds gathered at the event. During the weekend James was involved in his usual PR duties with sponsors, a role he also relishes, entertaining them with his insight of what happens out on the track. Everybody had a hugely exciting and rewarding day. James is now looking toward 2008 and gaining the support he needs to contest the full GT Championship.  www.britishgt.com  www.brookspeed.com www.harperphotography.co.uk |
|
||
|
||||
