Torque September 2008

Issue 1 September 2008

driver focuspage 5/6

page 3/4

w ant to race for under £7k?

rda new spage 1

fastest lappole position top step of the podium

RDA Joins FIA GT3

Page 5Photo courtesy of dmsp.co.uk

Dymond sparkles on debut

fastest laptop step of the podiumpole position

Olly Lewis Co - Editor

Richard Puddle Chief Editor

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Tel - 07789103259Tom attends most major internat-ional Motorsport events - check out his website!

Managing Director - Seb King

Email - [email protected]

Silverstone OfficeTel - 01327 856111Fax - 01327 856111

Email - [email protected]

www.racedriversacademy.com

Loughborough CollegeRadmoor rdLoughboroughLE11 3BT

In association with Loughborough College and the FDSC MotorsportsSports Performance course.

Photography -Tom Dymond

Tel - 07919075601 / 07817772010

Fax - 01761 434276

Chief Editor - Richard PuddleCo Editor - Olly Lewis

If you have suggestions for articlesor would like to be included in the next edition of Torque then pleasesend your ideas to [email protected] and you may be included in the next edition!

We here at the Race Drivers Academy (RDA) are pleased to announce the inaugural edition of our monthly newsletter, Torque. Torque aims to bring members of the RDA closer together with topical news features and results from all our drivers. Every month we will also be bringing you an individual focus on two of our drivers pastpast and present successes in their racing ca-reers so far.

For non RDA members Torque gives you an in-sight into the workings of the RDA, its affili-ates, courses, driver results, up coming events and ways you can get involved in this ever suc-cesful organisation.

Over the closing months of this season we will be developing Torque on an on going basis. With this in mind we welcome your comments and suggestions so don’t hesitate to contact us! The RDA continues to evolve, and the ever in-creasing roster of drivers continues to diversify. Our drivers range from National karters to Eu-roCup Formula Renault and even Rallycross stars. With 57 wins and 5 champions in 2006 alone, we continue to develop championship winning drivers.

Not only will Torque bring you up to date with the latest news within the RDA, it will also bring you topical news from the racing world. Every month, there will be articles on the latest results from international motorsport, with actual opinions from racing drivers! No PC bri-gade here! We will endeavour to write inform-ing articles that YOU WANT to read - so please, don’t hesitate to contact us with ideas for ar-ticles and features.

The RDA currently run two Loughborough Univeristy/College endorsed courses; the AASE program for 16-18 yr olds and the foundation degree for 18 yrs and above.

BothBoth courses amalgamate on-track training and vocational qualifications to give our driv-ers the edge over their competition. Inter-views have taken place for the latest influx of students intended for the start of the academ-ic year. We congratulate and look forward to welcoming all new drivers at the first residential of the year, which will be taking place over the coming weeks from the 15th Sep-tember to the 26th inclusive.

In closing, we hope you enjoy the first edition of Torque and all that remains is for us to wish all our drivers the best in their racing endevours during a very busy end of the season.

RDA NEW S


Here is our must read article on what we REALLY think of certain recent events within Motorsport. Issues looked at this month are the Spa F1 shinani-gans and also what effect Seat pulling the plug on their BTCC project will have on the championship next year!

Rich - OK so starting with the obvious and probably the most controversial question in recent F1 history... who do we think was at fault during the Kimi / Lewis incident at Spa?

Chris - Kimi clearly pushed Lewis off the road at the chicane, he had no choice but to go straight accross and cut the corner!

Rich - But what about what happened heading into La Source?

ChrisChris - Lewis, to me, obviously let Kimi fully through before the braking area and then pulled off a stunner of a move to out brake the Ferrari!

Olly - Ever the cynic, I am 100% sure that Kimi braked so early and swerved in front of Lewis to try and make the Mclaren hit the Ferrari leaving the door open for Massa to win the GP and for Lewis to receieve a penalty.

ChrisChris - What I’m EVEN more worried about is Kimi’s obvious advantage gained by running around the outside of Turn 10 that went unnoticed by officials. Talk about bias.

RichRich - Well I think your avoiding the main issue which is that Hamilton clearly did not lift and Raikonen used the better line to re pass him. Why has no telemetry been shown to prove that Lewis lifted? The guy is 110% all the time and altthough i’m a big fan of his driving, he has no tactical common sense in that helmet of his.

OllyOlly - I can see your point Rich, I think if it were me I definately would not have taken Kimi back quite so instantly. Although you can’t say any rules were technically broken - as Hamilton gave up the position, it was only for a split second and he was pushing his luck for sure.

Olly - So, what about Seat pulling out of BTCC, is this going to be a decline back to the likes of 2000/01??

RichRich - I think the future looks gloomy for BTCC. Whatever happened to the glory days of Vauxhall, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Ford, Renault, Honda and the Alfa’s? They were so much better as saloons as well and not hatchbacks. It was great to see the likes of John Cleland and Alain Menu in massive heavy saloons hanging the rear end out.

ChrisChris - Totally agree with you Rich, but I do see the light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t forget that Seat were going to pull out at the end of last year as well when certain people were opposed to their diesels. Besides, there has always been rises and falls in grid size and diversity.

OllyOlly - Well I think this fall could be the worst we’ve seen for BTCC, what with the economic recession over the next few years. But I do think BTCC could well be saved with the return of proper terrestrial TV coverage, there is definitely mileage in this as I’m sure BTCC is far more accessible than the likes of F1 to the general public.

ChrisChris - Definitely, terrestrial TV coverage of BTCC would be MINT! It would bring big manufacturers and sponsors back to the championship.

Rich - With only F1 on terrestrial TV these days, it would be great to see it back as it was when it was covered in Grand-stand, a lot more of my Sundays would be spent in front of the TV!

Next month we’ll bring you more biased and opin-ionated views on International Motorsport! Remember, if you want to have your say on Spa, BTCC or any International Motorsport events let us know, write to:[email protected]

w ide open

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W ANT TO RACE?for under...

Ok, so it’s the same old story, so much potential talent going to waste due to lack of funds. We’ve all been there and it’s a horrid place to be.SoSo in this section we’re going to take a look at some real options for you to start a career in car racing from the bottom up. Each month we will take a slightly higher budget and bring you the best options for racing in the UK. This month we will be taking a bottom-end fic-tional budget of £7000 and show four of the best options we think are available.

Option 1: The BRSCC Fiat Racing ChallengeWhere our own Chris Dymond (see driver focus page 6) started racing in cars in 2006. The series visits some top UK circuits such as Cadwell Park, Snetterton and Brands Hatch. Ok so it’s a Fiat Uno/Punto – very funny, but look past the exte-rior and what you have is a supremely balanced little touring car!There are loads of cars built for this series around at the moment so the chances of finding arrive and drive hiring is plentiful. If building your own car, certain areas are controlled by the champi-onship such as brake callipers and dampers which helps keep costs down but some areas are left open so you can use your imagination (and wallet!) if you wish! There’s a proper rookie championship with separate silverware and champ points but you still count towards the overall result!still count towards the overall result!

Please see www.fiatracing.com for more info

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Option 2: The BRSCC Ford XR ChallengeFordFord racing UK offer 2 different championships, all of which can be run under our budget providing you choose the right class. We have chosen the XR Challenge, not simply because it’s the cheapest of the lot! But also because all the others have overly complex class structures, with up to 7 different classes in one race, why!? The XR challenge consists of 2 very easy to tell apart classes; The XR challenge consists of 2 very easy to tell apart classes; Class A for the Mk 2 fiesta XR2’s (hatchbacks) and Class B for the Mk 4 Escort XR3i’s (saloons). There- simple! A con-trol tyre from Yokohama offers performance for sensible money (a cut slick) and dampers are also controlled. Mainly visiting northern tracks, but who cares when its places such as Cadwell, Donington and Oulten park! All in all, a tidy championship with big grids and fantastic racing.

Please see www.fordracinguk.com for more info

So thats the first two options for racing a full season with a budget of only £7K. Both championships represent fantastic value for money racing and are well supported. On the next page we’ll be taking a look at a further two championships that we recommend if your racing on a strict budget.


W ANT TO RACE?for under...

Option 3 : 750 Motor club Toyo tyres Golf GTI Champion-ship

The 750 Motor club IS budget motor racing and they have some truly fantastic championships!I think one of the best in our opinion is the Golf GTI champion-ship, again like the XR challenge title sponsor is a tyre manufac-ture which keeps costs down and maintains a level playing field. Similarly, again to the XR challenge, it has only 2 classes’ 8V engine cars, and 16v Cars.Much tighter regs here than any other, control tyre is the track day favourite Toyo R888 with camshaft, brakes, dampers and even air boxes kept under a watchful eye of the championship scrutineers! This keeps costs very low; and with capacity grids makes for great budget tin top racing! This relatively new championship is destined to grow ever stron-ger as it visits circuits all over the country.

Please see www.golfgti-racing.co.uk for more info

Option 4 : Castle Combe Saloon Car Championship

Ok Ok it has a large class structure, but at least it’s simply done on purely engine size and driven wheels!OurOur very own Olly Lewis is a competitor in class D and this is the class we’d suggest. Due to the points system its possible to win the championship from this class, which, in recent years has been the trend. ItIt really is just great! Basically if your car is less than 1401cc 2 wheel drive and has been manufactured and sold to the public anywhere in the world in the last 10 years then you can run it.TheThe regs are open bar the MSA mandatory safety regs. You can do pretty much whatever you want to the car, so buy a cheap shell then think carefully about where and how you modify it and still for under our budget you could end up with a little super tourer! Thats great, we just love the idea of open regs! TheThe only down side is it only races at Castle Combe and your car is unlikely to be able to race elsewhere. However, resale of succesful cars in this championship is suprisingly easy once you’re ready for the next step up the ladder. What’s more spectator attendance is phenomenal, even for club meetings the banks are full!

Please see www.castlecombecircuit.co.ukfofor more info

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Driver Focus

Driver Name - Cassey Watson

DOB - 16/08/1991

Hometown -Evesham

HeHero -Dale Earnhardt

Occupation -Student / Race Instructor

Favourite Circuit - Oulten Park or Cadwell Park

Favourite Car Driven - Corvette, Formula Renault or an Exige

Next Race - GT4 at Donington on October GT4 at Donington on October 12th 2008.

Interests - Nascar, Indycars, Music, Fitness and sports in general.

About CasseyNot only has Cassey stood on the podium in every class of racing shes entered from karts to cars she also holds the World Record for the most number of races completed in a 24hr period!Cassey is on the 2nd year of the AASE program of the RDA.

WhatWhat are your ambitions for the next season and your overall ambitions?My aim for 2009 is to be in a single seater championship of some sort. If that route is not possible then I would like to continue racing Ginettas. MyMy overall ambition is to be either a Le Mans 24hr driver, or to race in America in the IndyCars as thats always been my favourite type of racing.

What are your notable achievements from your racing career so far?InIn 2004/2005 I raced in TKM karting at Super 1 National level and scored multiple podiums and race wins in only my 2nd year of karting. Buckmore Park Vice winter champion.InIn 2006 I raced a Citreon Saxo VTR and scored a podium finish aswell as driver of the day award twice. I also scored multiple podium finishes in the T-Car championship aswell as setting a new world record for the most amount of races competed in 24 hours (6 races, 6 qualifiers, 3 practice sessions)

Have you ever experienced any problems with being a Female in a seemingly Male dominatedsport?I found it more of a problem in karting from other racers par-ents but since moving to cars I have not noticed any preferen-tial treatment or anyone acting differently to me on the race track so its not an issue.

How did you become involved with the RDA?I stumbled upon the RDA during a drivers briefing at Silver-stone where I happened to see a notice detailing the course and the company. I contacted them and enroled on the university course straight away.

How has the RDA helped your racing?Since joining the RDA, I have inproved significantly in my media skills. I am more confident being interviewed after races now. It has also helped with the fitness side of racing and also with my nutrition. The lectures on these subjects has de-veloped my understanding of them and this has been benefi-cial to my racing.

When and Why did you get involved in Motorsport?I’ve been interested in Motorsport since I was about 3! I used to watch it on TV and then I became involved in it after a visit to the Autosport show in 2002. I then got into karting and it all took off from there!

Website - www.casseywatson.co.uk

(Cassey w atson)

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Driver Focus(Chris dymond)

Driver Name - Chris Dymond

DOB - 16/07/1987

Hometown - Buckingham

HeHero - Jacky Ickx

Occupation -Racing Driver / Student

Favourite Circuit - Cadwell Park

Favourite Car Driven - Jaguar GT3

Next Race - Nogaro in GT3 on the 4th and 5th Nogaro in GT3 on the 4th and 5th of October 2008

Interests -Motorsport, Fitness, Sunglasses, Music

What are your major race results and notable achievements in your racing career so far?From 1998-2005 in karting from National level up to and including European and World Cup ICA.20062006 was the BRSCC Fiat Racing Challenge Rookie Champion with 9 wins out of 12 and finished 3rd overall in Champpionship with 4 podiums, 2 fastest laps, 1 pole position and 1 lap record at Brands Hatch. Also won the Star Of Silverstone Formula Ford race with fastest lap.20072007 moved to Renault UK Clio Cup and came 8th in main champi-onship and was the highest placed rookie aswell as recording 4 over-all podiums and 14 top ten finishes. 2008 I have moved to FIA GT3 European Championship and raced for Team Berlanga Ascari for the first half of season recording a top ten finish and have now signed for Jaguar for final rounds.

What are your ambitions for the future?To eventually race and win the Le Mans 24 hrs and have a successful racing career.

About ChrisChris is a 3rd year student on the RDA foundation degree. He has raced a wide range of cars/karts at national and international level. A very promising star of GT racing for the future.

Where was your last race and how did it go?My last race was at Monza in FIA GT3. After qualifing 22nd in damp conditions I had made my way up to 6th place overall by only lap 12 when massive brake failure caused a high speed spin and retirement.

How did you become involved with the RDA?II read about the RDA’s up coming degree back in 2005 in a karting magazine. I was one of the first students to partake in the university course and won first time out in the RDA school Formula Ford cars at Silverstone.

Chris’ Sponsors -Sword Services, ESTS, Fashion Systems, Comet Catering, BLOC Sunglasses.

WWebsite - www.dymondmotorsport.com

Chris Dymond (Pic DMSP.CO.UK)

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diary dates

With the new release of Torque I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring by offering to write a small piece on RDA developments! With the intention of Torque being a totally student driver run publication, I have no doubt I may even get edged out once we go to print! WWith September comes a new intake for both the Advance Ap-prenticeship and Foundation Degree programmes, bringing the total roster of drivers to 69! Starting with an induction week in Loughborough followed by a week at Silverstone on track and sandwiched between the Brit Car 24hr weekend and the British Super Bikes. Fingers crossed for some belated summer weather for what plans to be an excellent couple of weeks. OnOn other news, the RDA is completing the launch of our One Day Modules, which allows drivers the opportunity to develop their skills in a wide range of subjects including: Media Skills, Race Car Design, Data Logging and Interpretation, and On Track In-struction to name a few. All details and prices will follow in the next edition of Torque, or for further information please contact the office. Finally, congratulations must go to Chris Dymond for securing his drive in the Jaguar in FIA GT, and most importantly to Rich-ard, Olly and Chris for all their efforts in producing Torque. Here's to all its future success.

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Final Thoughts......

Seb King - Managing Director - RDA

Upcoming RDA Events

RDA University Semester - 15th - 26th September

Dan Rozwadowski at Silverstone - 18th - 19th Sep-tember Formula Palmer Audi

Liam Hamilton at Oulten Park - 27th SeptemberKumho BMW Championship (318is)

Luciano Bacheta at Estoril - 27th - 28th SeptemberEurocup Formula Renault

Lee Dwyer at Silverstone - 4th - 5th OctoberBARC Formula Renault

Nick Jones at Spa - 4th - 5th OctoberBelgium Clio Cup

Chris Dymond at Nagaro - 5th OctoberFIFIA GT3 (Jaguar XKR)

Cassey Watson at Donington - 12th OctoberBritish GT4 (Ginetta G20)

Kieran Vernon at Donington - 12th OctoberTexaco Havoline Ginetta Championship (Ginetta G20)

Ashley Simpson at Croft - 25th OctoberRallycRallycross SuperPrix (Lotus Elise)

All thats left for us to do is to thank you, the reader for taking a look at our brand new edition of Torque. Things to look forward to in Octobers edition are an exclusive interview with Formula Ford and Le Mans legend, Neil Cunningham, and also a brand new driver focus as well as news and updates on the action packed world of Motorsport.

FromFrom October onwards we will be running a new feature named ‘ALL TORQUE’ where you, the reader have the chance to write in and have your say on anything you wish to speak your mind about within the Motorsport world. Please feel free to email, fax or phone us with anything you would like to have included in the next edition and you can be part of an exciting time for the RDA.

Documents

Torque September 2008