Persberichten - African Heat - Quick rookie, a long way from home

African Heat - Quick rookie, a long way from home

That's certainly new. I just finished 8th in qualifying in the third round of the F3 Africa Series, and I'm disappointed with it. I guess that's a good thing... If someone said to me a year ago, that I'd qualify in the top10 in any of the continental championships races, I would've been thrilled. Wait, even that's a huge reach - I would never have believed him in the first place. Now, here I am - in 8th spot, pretty much fuming. Go figure...

Oh, but I'm getting ahead of myself, here. (That sounds kinda funny for a racecar driver, don't you think?) :)
It all started about half a year ago. I just got my fresh driver's license, but couldn't even dream of an own car, so I was back doing the next best thing: racing in simulators; when suddenly the phone rang.

SharpByte Racing, some guy said. WHAT?! Racing?? You saw me racing online and want to give me a shot testing your F3 car! Hell yeah, where, when, can I go there NOW? (Please, God, don't let this be a joke!!) :)

Well, it wasn't a joke. We met at a local track, where my new manager, Mr. Sharp introduced me to the crew, and they showed me the car. Man, what a beauty! It's a Lola, they said. So it's a she, than? - I asked. Sure she is, so be gentle with her, smiled the mechanic. Of course I'll be gentle, it'll be our first date, right? :)

I can't really describe those next few minutes. Love at first sight, anyone? It was aaawesome! The team told me to take it easy, but I couldn't resist, and after a few cautious laps, I really stepped on it. Nobody said a thing afterwards, but Boris, the Crew Chief couldn't hide his smile. :)

My manager invited me into his office (where I've met another - unexpected - beauty, his assistant - wow, that's all I'm going to say...), and we started talking about their plans with me. Orsi, the assistant, sat down right next to me.

So what do you think? - asked Mr. Sharp "suddenly". Yep, I had no idea what he just said...(Focus man, you're not here for the girl!!!) :)

Ehm, yeah, you know, I'm a little overwhelmed right now... I said. Yes, I can see that, he winked with a half-smile. :)

So the deal looked like this: I get a chance in a few 2-day races, and they also give me a car for the Rookie Series. If things go well, I could even get a seat in a small custom series. The level of competition in those 3 events is totally different, but this way, the team can evaluate me perfectly before the end of the season. I could hardly wait to get going...

My first race? I don't want to talk about it. :) I had no idea how to setup the car (still have a lot to learn in this department...), I pushed way too hard and made bad mistakes in qualifying, and I think I just generally expected too much, too early. Guess what, I didn't get to see the checkered flag... :)

It was actually my third race, when things suddenly started to click. Everybody was super-excited after I ended up 8th on the grid in a reasonably strong field (oh, the irony, I was chuffed with 8th back then...). :) Made a few big mistakes, almost wrecked my car, but earned my first top10 in the race next day, and I started to feel the trust of the team more and more. Not to mention the rise of my own confidence!

The team was satisfied with me usually being the top rookie in these races, but I wanted more - and I got more very early! I really hoped to get a podium in a Rookie Series race, and to even my own huge surprise, I actually managed to get one (podium) in a single race, a few days before my first Rookie Series start... Although I gotta say, I did it in a typical fashion: making a big mistake late in the race while leading, and coming in 2nd instead of winning. Still, it was such a blast, standing on the podium, with the trophy and the champagne - my hand was shaking so hard, I almost couldn't open it. :)

It was really weird. Nobody knew me, and still I was constantly battling with established names from all around the world. Winning 4 out of 6 Rookie races (finishing 2nd in the other 2), and earning a top10 almost every time in single races was truly surreal for me. I mean, yeah, of course, I wanted to be a racecar driver, and when I got the chance, it felt truly astonishing, but suddenly, it became super-serious. I have a genuine chance to do really well here! As I've seen the press talking about the possible rookie of the year, mentioning Knight, Wheeler, Villanova and others, I couldn't help, but think - I've already beaten some of those guys a few times! (And yet they seem to have no idea who I am...) :)

Well, I hope that's going to change in a few years. Actually, I could've chosen to race in F3 (US of) America this year, where Wheeler and Co. are all the Rage right now :), but I really like what Lyn Vos said about facing the final boss right away. :) (BTW, keep it up Lyn, I love your blog, inspired me to start writing my own! (Also, racing needs more competitive girls, because they widen the market for all racers, imho. More girls, more fans, more sponsors, faster cars, etc, etc...) Just don't beat my Hungarian pal who's in your series! :))

I gotta be honest - the Rage guys are really good, they can certainly walk the walk. That tiny bit more experience they have makes them a tiny bit faster on most tracks, too. F3 America was tempting, but my manager insisted that it would be a stupid career move. (Jesus, we're talking about a racing career now!)

Luckily, we had multiple options in the offseason. I was thinking about trying to push for a national title, but one of my new sponsors offered the adventure of a lifetime.

They'll give you a fully sponsored ride in the continental series, F3 Africa! said Mr. Sharp. I've checked the field, and I'm telling you kiddo, you can easily make regular top10 there. That would mean better sponsors, more testing opportunities, better cars - more speed, in the long run!

He didn't need to sell it too much - I always wanted to see Africa! And here I am now, in Morocco at the moment - which is the third round of the series. As a matter of fact, I'm 4th in the overall standings after two rounds (4 races). No podiums yet, but I know it will happen eventually. Actually, that's why I'm so mad right now - I made a stupid mistake in both practice and qualifying, and I couldn't replicate the speed I had before at this same track in testing. The 2:07.737 I had here before would have put me on the front row, and with the mistake, I only managed a 2:09 instead... See how an 8th can be disappointing? :)

But it's definitely possible to overtake on this track, and I'm sure I've got the speed, I just need to be smart about it.

I don't know where all this is going to take me. This year (and maybe next year), it's all about learning. But soon I'll start dreaming about trophies...

(Wow, this ended up a lot longer than I wanted. I certainly offer you my tropy of gratitude, if you got to the checkered flag of this post, which is right here...) :)