DSC will be following the progress of Beechdean-AMR’s twin-pronged attack on the GT3 and GT4 British GT titles throughout 2014, and will be hearing from their drivers along the way. Here, Ross Wylie reflects on a very successful first outing for he and GT4 teammate Jake Giddings and looks forwards to the first two-hour race of the season at Rockingham this weekend.
It’s been a great start of the season for me. Winning at Oulton Park 12 months ago on my circuit debut in the Volkswagen race only to come back for the first time and win again in British GT probably makes it my favourite track!
I’d qualified on class ‘pole’ for the opening race ahead of reigning GT4 champion Rick Parfitt. He put me under pressure in the race but I was also trying to drive conservatively as the front tyres weren’t coming up to temperature affecting the grip level. He kept me on my toes and it was a bit of a relief when he disappeared from my mirrors after breaking down. Then we were handed a one lap lead due to the positioning of the Safety Car that followed. This took the pressure off Jake and he was able to take a comfortable win for us and Beechdean.
Standing on the top step of the podium after our very first race in GT4 was a brilliant feeling!
Jake had qualified the Aston third for the second race, but the engine cut out on Jake as the cars went around before the start after an electrical gremlin, so we were already half a lap down. That issue combined with the 15secs win ‘penalty’ made life difficult.
But Jake made up a lot of ground during his stint and two caution periods brought us right back into the race. It was good fun driving from the back to fourth place and more importantly good experience for me in terms of overtaking. I’m not hugely disappointed by missing out on a podium finish by less than half a second – you have to deal with these stresses in motor racing.
Jake and I can’t let our guard down – this is only the beginning and we mustn’t lose focus just because of success in the opening two races.
There’s still more to come from me, I’m finding time in myself every time I hit the track.
We now move on to the second round of the championship at Rockingham, which is a very different circuit to Oulton, and my aim for this weekend has to be to score more points; it’s vital to keep the momentum going forward from Oulton and record another good result.
The objective of Jake and I isn’t necessarily to strive to win every race by taking undue risks but to consistently score solid points. We’re in this for the long game which is to win the championship title.
While I’m really looking forward to getting back into the car, Rockingham is probably my least favorite circuit. I’m nevertheless looking forward to the challenge the unique layout makes on car and driver.
The circuit runs anti clockwise and partly on the oval circuit. Turn One is pretty nerve-racking running so close to the wall but driving on a knife-edge is exciting.
We’ve both benefitted greatly from being able to drive Rockingham and the other circuits on the Base Performance simulator; testing at a circuit is very expensive, so having the opportunity to hone my skills without the fear of red flags or damaging the car is invaluable.
Fitness levels are very important in this style of racing. It can get very hot inside the car and that can affect concentration. This will be the longest car race of my career to date and so I’m hoping my daily training routines will pay off.
Ross Wylie (@RossWylieRacing)
