04/06/2026
Armed Forces Race Challenge Round 1 race 1 & 2 write up - The highs and lows
After arriving later than expected at Silverstone, I unloaded and carried on with some preparation, with some help on the decals from the Army Sports Car Racing team. Quali under way and got some banker laps in before trying to push a bit harder. I was rubbing new tyres and ideally could have come in for a pressure check. The car felt ok at the suspension settings but with some understeer mid corner so more patience required on applying power at the exit. I qualified 4th which I was happy with and felt there maybe 1-2 seconds to come off my best which was a 1:07.3 on lap 10 of 22, around 2s slower than pole.
We had a brief which did delay preparation for race 1 so the team helped me with bleeding the brakes and fuelling up prior to race 1 to get to assembly in time. I was on the inside line and John ‘Cobbers’ Cobley Seat Ibiza ‘Smurf’ had unfortunately retired with a clutch issue so I had clear sight of the first corner.
Red start lights on, revs up, lights off and away we go, a fairly decent start matching P1 into first turn Copse but Alex in the Elise coming around the outside - he then started spinning in front of me. It transpired he’d dumped his coolant but carried on as he wasn’t aware. I slid on it too trying to work his line out and had to go very wide off track to ensure I didn’t hit him, this then lost me the start advantage I had on the cars behind me with in his Fiesta close behind, himself getting a good start. Cars were now out of position but I led for a lap before being passed by Alex again. He eventually retired and then it was a battle with Jasmine Norman in her Audi TT.
I was getting gapped by 100m or more on the straights but able to make that back up on braking and cornering, however once on the straights again she pulled away with ease - it’s a quick car. I managed to get back to P1 on lap 14 and 15 but then passed again on the straight. There was some close racing and after 18 laps I crossed the line 2nd after Jasmine and Richie Philips in 3rd. Into the pit lane and lined up for the finishers interview. I was pleased overall with me best starting position and best finish so far.
Race 2
For race 2 I needed to refuel and I swapped the tyres around along with adjusting tyre pressures. Lined up in 4th place again but both P1 and P2 were non-starters. Lights out and a good start again, straight into P1, I set into a rhythm and I had #82 Richie Philips closing into the corners but able to keep him behind with a good laugh out of each corner, by lap 5 we were into the back markers.
As I approached Maggots there was a BMW 116 on the racing line I went deeper into the corner and went on their left side around the outside…then BANG. Richie in the pink BMW had missed the brakes and straight into my side at a considerable pace.
At first I wasn’t sure what happened but I’d span off the track and facing the wrong way, I could then see the pink BMW driving away to safety. My car started but as I didn’t know the damage or if I was leaking any fluids I decided to retire driving a bit more off the track and into the capable hands of the Marshals 🧡
We went over the barrier and they checked me over quickly, Richie then joined us and apologised for the contact. After the race we were both picked up along with our cars. Cars went to scrutineering and we were dropped off at the medical centre for an examination by the team. Given the all clear I walked back to collect my car but was told to report to the clerk. I did so and given the verdict of the collision, I was not at fault.
They couldn’t see my footage but I confirmed after it was definitely on the memory card. On picking my car up and with some pointers from other members I could see the full extent of the damage. Wheel scuffed and had contacted the inner arch, rear quarter pushed in, creased and stretched and door pushed in and distorted. I was pretty gutted and now in the process of trying to fix it to be able to race again. These cars are rare and parts are expensive so any assistance is welcome in preparation for the remainder of the season.
Thank you to all the Silverstone staff, Marshalls and members of the 750 Motor Club Army, Royal Navy Royal Marines Car Racing Team RAF Motorsports
FB Tuning helperformance.com ENEOS
