Cameron Twynham lines up for his home European F3 Open round at Silverstone this weekend (July 13/14) hopeful of closing the gap further at the top of the Copa Class standings.
Fortunately the 17-year-old can count on the support of over 100 family, friends and sponsors at the British Grand Prix venue that lies only 30 miles from his home in Market Harborough. Their collective support, allied to Twynhams recent F3 experience of Silverstone, makes this the ideal opportunity to cut the 12-point deficit he currently trails the Copa Class leader by.
Consistency has played an important role in his 2013 campaign thus far, with nine podium finishes including three at Silverstone in May when making a guest appearance in the British F3 Championship from a total of 12 races.
And Twynham has no plans to alter that approach this weekend.
Consistency has been a key part of my success this year and Im of the view that if it isnt broken, dont fix it, he explained. Winning races is obviously the goal but sometimes, for various reasons, you have to accept that doing so isnt possible. Ive learnt that lesson and taken it onboard this year, which is why were right in the title fight with four rounds remaining. When you consider there are 20 points available per weekend the championship is still wide open.
Despite his homes proximity to the circuit, Twynham had never raced at Silverstone until earlier this year in British F3. And though the tyre suppliers are different, hell have the same Team West-Tec-run Dallara F308 at his disposal this weekend as the one he scored a hat-trick of rostrums with two months ago.
Silverstones full GP circuit is pretty demanding, but I felt really happy with the car when we raced there even though I was learning the circuit lap-by-lap. We might have to make some adjustments for the difference between British F3s tyre supplier and the Dunlops we race with in F3 Open, but I cant see it being too much of an issue. The bottom line is that we already have a good set-up that will allow us to hit the ground running.
Almost a month will have passed between F3 Open rounds when Twynham takes to the track on Friday, but thats not to say that the young Brit hasnt been working hard in the meantime.
The training never stops, he confirms. Whether thats physical work in the gym or on the simulator at iZone Performance, Im always looking to stay match fit. Last week for instance I was at the British Grand Prix, not to enjoy the Formula 1 but instead study the younger drivers in GP3. Nothing beats driving but you can learn a lot from watching how a car behaves and what others are doing through a corner if you change perspectives. The same goes for overtaking opportunities, although hopefully I wont need to make too many of those this weekend!
Silverstone weekend schedule
Friday 12 July:
Free Practice 1: 09.00 09.30
Free Practice 2: 11.45 12.15
Free Practice 3: 16.15 16.45
Saturday 13 July:
Qualifying 1: 11.00 11.30
Race 1: 15.00 (15 laps)
Sunday 14 July:
Qualifying 2: 09.00 09.30
Race 2: 13.15 (15 laps)
