Yes its true!
I am to become a racing driver.
What started as a conversation between me and Peter Cox, now known as Coxy, about doing some endurance kart races next year, ended up with me agreeing to share a drive in his Westfield sports car and so become a full fledged (if unproved and probably talent less) racing driver.
So despite the fact that a, I don't own a Westfield and b, have only sat in it once (and then it wasn't moving) I have entered the Westfield Sports Car Club (WSCC) Speed Series in 2007.
This means I now have a number of things I need to get sorted before the season starts in April next year.
Join the WSCC
Apparently you cant enter the WSCC Speed Series unless you are a WSCC member, which is clearly ridiculous!
Register for the Speed Series 2007
It seems that WSCC membership doesn't automatically grant you entry in the events they run. Instead you have to apply again clearly ridiculous!
Get a Racing Licence
Licenses are issued by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) and I need the strangely titled "Non Race National B Licence"
Get protected - Me
Probably the coolest part other than the actual racing.
I need a proper flame resistant racing suit and crash helmet. The WSCC also recommend getting flame resistant boots, socks, gloves, underwear and balaclava, so will go with that advice and get the whole kit.
Going to need the boots anyway cos my feet are so big and the Westfield foot well isn't. It either nice slim racing boots or ballerina shoes!
Get protected - Car
Need to get the Westies (As they appear to get called) Roll Bar raised cos my head sticks out above it, and if it rolls its going to be me rather than it saving the day!
Coxy says we will be installing the intumescent banding (??!!) so that's a relief!
Decide which races to race
Proposed races are:-
Monday 9th April - Croft Sprint
Sunday 15th April - Cadwell Park
Saturday 28th April - Aintree Sprint
Sunday 13th May - Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb
Sunday 24th June - Curborough Sprint
Sunday 19th August - Curborough Sprint
Saturday 15th September - Thoresby Park Sprint
Saturday 29th September - Loton Park Hillclimb
Practice
In a vain attempt to learn the car we will be going on an airfield track day and learn where the limits are. Coxy highly recommends this as "the biggest performance improvement to be had will always be enhancing the muscle between the ears" Yoda has spoken.
We then plan to follow that up by going on a real track day and get some proper driver instruction.
Other stuff
Need to purchase a set of buffed List 1B tyres. I don't know what they are other than the black round things at the bottom of the car, but they sound good.
We both plan to sponsor the car to promote our Limited Companies,
Testing Plus web hosting in my case and Heavenlyz Animal Hotel in his case. We just need to decide how much and what we put on the car.
Race
Race, and not crash.
For a summary of the entire WSCC 2007 Speed Series season and video footage from each track, click here.