Motor racing’s ‘X Factor’ competitors put through their paces
Six young British racing drivers took part in a gruelling two-day evaluation at Snetterton circuit this week as they were pitched against one another to lay claim to the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award. The Award has previously launched the careers of Jenson Button and David Coulthard, and the six finalists looking to follow in their tyre tracks are:
• Sam Bird, 18, from Claygate, Surrey – 2005 Formula BMW UK Vice-Champion• Joey Foster, 22, from Truro, Cornwall – 2005 US Formula Ford 2000 Vice-Champion• James Jakes, 18, from Leeds, Yorkshire – 2005 Formula Renault UK frontrunner• Oliver Jarvis, 21, from Burwell, Cambs – 2005 Formula Renault UK Champion• Duncan Tappy, 21, from West Ewell, Surrey – 2005 UK Formula Ford Festival winner• Joe Tandy, 22, from Pavenham, Beds – 2005 Formula Palmer Audi Champion
The six finalists, selected by expert judges from a shortlist voted for by Autosport magazine readers, went head-to-head at MotorSport Vision’s Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk. Each driver got behind the wheel of a 470bhp DTM AMG Mercedes C-Class, a 180mph World Series by Renault single-seater, a front-wheel drive Team Dynamics Honda Integra Type-R British Touring Car, and a Caterham Seven. Not only were they assessed on their ability to adapt to racing cars that none have previously driven, they were also tested on their technical feedback, raw speed, consistency, attitude and presentation.
Their skills were under the scrutiny of McLaren’s Steve Hallam, Autosport’s Marcus Pye, British Racing Drivers’ Club secretary Roger Lane-Nott and MotorSport Vision’s Jonathan Palmer and Giles Butterfield.
Jonathan Palmer explained: “We are looking for range of attributes, starting of course with speed. But consistency is equally important and the ability to lap quickly without making mistakes is vital. We do take in account the considerably differing backgrounds though and like to see a progressive improvement in lap times with time, so we can see the driver is learning and building up his pace without over-driving.
“The best drivers will be cool, able to think clearly and logically under pressure and be confident without being too arrogant – there is still a lot for even the best of them to learn. They are all interviewed by us after the driving and we will also be listening carefully to the reports from the various teams as to their attitude and technical feedback.”
Newly-crowned British Touring Car Champion Matt Neal and DTM Champion Gary Paffett, past winner of the Autosport Award, were on hand to offer the six contestants advice.
Gary explains: “Although the Mercedes DTM is a touring car, it handles very much like a single-seater. The drivers have to make the most of what the car has to offer. It has a lot of downforce, so you’re able to carry more speed into the corners but you’ve got to be careful on the tighter parts of the circuit, at least until the brakes have some heat in them. The finalists have really impressed me as they’ve not only got to be quick and consistent out on the circuit but they’ve got to be able to analyse data and listen to our advice in order to improve on their lap times. The winner has to offer the whole package. The prize on offer is great and the prestige of winning the Award will stay with you forever.”
With the evaluation over, all the drivers can do now is wait until 4 December, when the winner will be announced at the star-studded Autosport Awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Whilst the drivers receive no feedback on the day with regard to their assessment, they had the following to say about the evaluation process:
Duncan Tappy“Getting to grips with the World Series by Renault was a real challenge. To come from Formula Ford, which is underpowered with little grip, to driving something more powerful with a massive aero package takes time to adjust. You can really keep the power on through the corners without it sliding. The British Touring Car handled pretty much how I expected it to and in some respects is similar to a Formula Ford. The Autosport Award can make a huge difference to your career and I’m really enjoying the whole experience, if I didn’t it would be a waste. I have to be realistic when it comes to my ambition. As long as I can make a career from motorsport and make money along the way, then I would be more than happy.”
Sam Bird“The cars that I’ve driven here over the last couple of days have all been challenging in their own right but in particular the BTCC car was different due to being front-wheel drive. The World Series by Renault was awesome, just for the sheer power, and it was something really special. I would really love to spend another two days here just testing as I’ve had such a great time. Winning the Award would be fantastic as it can really enhance your career and it’s a great tool for securing sponsorship. I’ve done the best that I can and just have to wait until 4 December for the Awards night.”
Oliver Jarvis“I think the most difficult car to adapt to was the front-wheel drive British Touring Car as it doesn’t handle like you expect it to. Both the World Series by Renault and the DTM are rear-wheel drive, so adapting to those wasn’t such a challenge. The World Series by Renault blew me away just because of the sheer speed. Looking to the future, Formula One is my ultimate goal but I have to be realistic. If I can make a career out of motorsport, and get paid for something I love to do, that would be great, and it’s certainly achievable at my age.”
James Jakes“The World Series by Renault was probably the most challenging car that I’ve driven at Snetterton over the last couple of days, particularly as the conditions were a little tricky. The most fun car to drive has been the DTM, it’s a great all-rounder. The build quality is spectacular and it’s got a huge amount of power and downforce. I’d like to carve out a career in motorsport and in the short-term I’m looking at competing in Formula Three. The pinnacle has to be Formula One, and winning this Award would be a step in the right direction.”
Joey Foster“The most challenging car out there over the last couple of days has to be the World Series by Renault. You really have to push it to its limits to get the best out of it and go beyond the braking points. The DTM is a great car to drive because it is just so different from anything I’ve ever driven. It’s so well put together with superb power, brakes and a really good feel on the gear changes. There are so many options available to me having spent the last year racing in the US and if I win the Award it opens up even more doors with so much to consider. Whilst I did compete in a Porsche Carrera Cup race this year I think that single-seaters is where I’m focused.”
Joe Tandy“The DTM car was definitely the most challenging and the most fun to drive. The World Series by Renault is completely different to anything I’ve ever driven as it’s got so much downforce. Only a year ago I was driving in the Mini Se7en Challenge, so to be here at Snetterton driving some great machines is a fantastic opportunity. After driving in Formula Palmer Audi this year my next move will probably be driving in the States, but if I’m lucky enough to win the Autosport Award it opens up far more opportunities in Europe.”
The Autosport Awards is in its 24th year. It is Europe’s most prestigious motor racing ceremony of the year, staged in the Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane. It is the year’s single biggest gathering of star drivers, powerful sponsors and team managers from the world of Formula 1, the World Rally Championship, the Le Mans 24 hour race, and a plethora of other international and national motorsport categories.
Previous winners of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award:
2004 Paul di Resta2003 Alex Lloyd2002 Jamie Green2001 Steven Kane2000 Anthony Davidson1999 Gary Paffett1998 Jenson Button1997 Andrew Kirkaldy1996 Darren Turner1995 Jonny Kane1994 Jamie Davies1993 Ralph Firman1992 Dario Franchitti1991 Oliver Gavin1990 Gareth Rees1989 David Coulthard
