Brands Hatch Race Report – A Weekend of “What Could’ve Been” (With a Side of Gearbox Gremlins!)

Q1 – P6

Q2 – P4

R1 – P8 (Broken Gear Cables)

R2 – P2

R3 – P3

Before we dive in, just want to echo our usual shout of gratitude we’re incredibly thankful to be on this wild ride. Now onto the weekend, where we unearthed some gremlins, dialed in the setup, and ended up with a car that got stronger every session. Qualifying: We rolled out for qualifying with a spring in our step, having pre checked the car’s balance. Sadly by the time the laps counted, The rear was tighter than expected and our usual mastery through Druids turned into more of a polite suggestion to the car, which it largely ignored. Despite showing great sector pace in testing, we didn’t quite hook up a lap when it mattered most. Next time, we’ll be setting alarms for when the car’s “performance window” opens, because we clearly missed it this time, P6 and P4. Race 1 The Spoon & The Porridge Started full of optimism and surrounded by teammates (P1 to P6 more like a family reunion than a race grid). We got a cracking start, fought around the outside into T1, T2 secured it by Graham hill and a solid set of opening corners followed and then… disaster struck. The gearbox felt like we were stirring porridge with a garden trowel. By the time we hit Druids again, we realised we had about half the gears we needed and none of them consistently. Cue emergency mode: damage limitation. Despite losing pace faster than a sat nav in a tunnel, we limped it home in P8 frustrating, but a finish is a finish!

Race 2 The Comeback Tour With gears now reconnected to reality, we started P3 and pounced into P2 by Paddock Hill. We were properly in the mix and battling for the lead peak drama! Unfortunately, we had to keep one eye on the mirrors as our teammate in P3 was charging through. The classic motorsport yoyo ensued closing, defending, closing again until a safety car decided to spice things up. Post safety car, we gave it everything but just couldn’t land the overtake whilst managing the gap. We came home P2, just 0.2 off the win. Not quite the champagne, but close enough to sniff the cork. Race 3 Plot Twist Edition Started P4 and the plan was “same again, but better.” Turns out the car had read the memo this time. We got off the line well and joined the train, by clearways we took P3 as he suffered mechanical difficulties, With P1 and P2 still a bit up the road, we set off after them like a hound on a scent. The car had found its mojo and was flying through Surtees, but our Achilles’ heel (Clearways to T1) still held us back. Thinking P1 had a penalty and P2 was also under threat, we played the long game, maintained position… and then realised neither penalty existed. Oops. Final result: P3. Still, 5 out of 6 races as top rookie? Not too shabby but it could have and should have been more!

What’s Next? We’re already elbows deep in prep for the Silverstone National round on May 17th & 18th Triple header again! Not traditionally EP3’s happy place, but we’re rolling in with optimism, fresh spanners, and a mild caffeine dependency. Hoping to iron out the pace issues and keep the momentum going. Massive thanks to our amazing sponsors: • Mill Street Motors • Europa Crash Centre • Motordrive Seats • Demon Tweeks Motorsport • Onamission • Jautos • Fusion Wraps Ltd And of course, huge appreciation for the family, friends, and everyone who supports us, brother Ashley for throwing the spanners and massive props to the wizards at Area motorsport for keeping the car and us running and mostly sane. We’re getting stronger, one gear at a time.