High Hopes Low Boost

March saw the early 2025 season opening BRSCC race weekend at Silverstone, which was to host my first ever real life solo 2hr race. I was so happy to finally get out in Audrey the Audi after the long winter off season. The winter has been difficult with the final plans for the 25 season only being confirmed a few weeks before the first event. Many people to thank for me being able to race this season and I am so grateful to have the continued support of Nurburgring Tours and Critical Power, not only as sponsors, but also as actively involved and valued racing family. And we also welcome Charlie who has been a long time supporter and friend, and has kindly offered to solve one of our headaches and get the race car to track for me this year.

Friday shakedown and practice sessions went well. With the size of the 31 strong grid it was a great experience to be racing on the full layout 3.66 mile combined GP circuit, and I was very pleased with my pace on the final session after bedding brakes and tyres in. We also got our safety scrutineer checks out of the way to have more prep time in the morning. Most of the races this year fall on a Saturday with an early qualifying session, and the 2hr races on the same afternoon.

Saturday started with driver briefing and it was a nice surprise to see Colin Turkington (four times BTCC champion) suited up which meant we would be sharing the same tarmac. ( I actually sim raced with him online in lockdown at Laguna Seca). I also hadn't realised that he was going to be racing in the same class, Clubman A. And another touring car legend Tim Harvey was present and also raced. The races would be very similar in format to the ones I raced in last year with a two hour race and two mandatory pitstops, although this time I will be driving the two hours alone. I do however have to get out of the car while refuelling takes place for obvious safety reasons.

With the fresh tyres on for the qualifying session Audrey felt amazing and I was able to set the fastest lap in Clubman class A. Was quietly very pleased with myself given the competition to have taken pole in class by 3 tenths of a second with a 2m26.342 on my last lap. This gave me 11th over all with only pro class cars in front of me making up the top ten. This, and starting in front of the other Audi TTs made me feel confident about the upcoming race.

Lunchtime soon came and we were called to assembly area early to be the first race of the afternoon at 1.15. I lined up on row 6 with Colin Turkington just behind and to my left, and a little nervous about starting the race so far up the grid. We took the long formation lap and came around for the rolling start. The safety car peeled off into the pitlane, lights went out, and we all thundered into the first corner. I took a little care going in central with a car either side and lost my class lead but planned to let the pack spread out and get into a rythm.

After a few laps really got into my groove posting fastest laps even with a heavy fuel laden car, and managed to take the lead in Clubman A class and pushing as much as possible towards our first pit stop and things were looking good with us firmly in the top ten over all.

Just as I got called in I experienced a loss of power and pitted straight away as precaution catching our team off guard. After a longer stop and no obvious fault I left the pits with more fuel on board having dropped down the order more than we should have done. The boost issues continued for the rest of the race, and I had to adapt my driving to try to hang on to position with only cornering speed and late braking saving me losing even more time. Sadly the deficit of 5 seconds plus per lap meant that I eventually finished in fourth position in class, and cruelly this likely cost us a likely class win or at least a podium finish. Can't help thinking how amazing it would have been to share the podium with Colin Turkington after watching so many touring car races from the age of 6.....

Although disappointed, on reflection we all did an amazing job in our first race, and to finish in the top ten overall in such a large field was still a big achievement. I also got fastest lap in Clubman A class of 2m24.80 in the race 5 laps in before the mechanical issues started. This was also 8th fastest overall lap of the race, with an average speed of 91mph.

With the first round under our belts we already have the second round upon us on the 19th April at Oulton Park. This is also the day of my 18th birthday, and being at my closest circuit to home I am looking forward to having a few friends and family there for support.... and hopefully we can get a better result than my last visit with Audrey in 2024....brake failure isn't fun.

Once again huge thanks to everyone who has played a part in us being able to do this in 2025, the title sponsors Nurburgring Tours & Critical Power. Questmead, Shaw Tyres, and BSB Motorsport for their help solving car issues, all our individual supporters and repeat Graph X customers, Supergood Bikers for Autism and Xkart/Teamkarting, and anyone buying race stickers from the Ebay shop, plus Charlie and Bowman Towing Centre for transportation solution, this all means so much to me.

I am just an ordinary lad from Rochdale, working hard and chasing dreams so every part is hugely appreciated.

Now impatiently counting down and looking forward to the next.... 19th April Oulton Park. It's going to be a looong week....Happy Easter!!

Sandro#19