After weeks of preparation of cars, equipment, drivers and support crew the team are now onsite and in the final stages of readying for qualifying this afternoon.
Logistics support was the main effort yesterday, Comp Sec Motor Racing Chris Slator said “it was a monumental team effort yesterday to get all the equipment moved to the circuit from all over the UK. Luckily we have experience from our primary roles to make things like this happen. I was lucky enough to be posted to a deployed unit a number of years ago where I was required to qualify to drive HGV vehicles which allows me to bring that skill set to our team.”
Owing to support from numerous organisations the team are equipped with the required equipment to give the race their best shot, the first time the RAF have fielded an identical car against those from the Royal Navy and an Army team, Royal Engineers Motorsport.
Emma Ockendon, an Avionics Technician worked on integrating the auxiliary lighting required to race at night. “This morning I’ve used transferable skills from my primary role of maintaining Puma helicopters into race engineering. We’ve fitted the additional wiring and components to the car and completed function checks much like is done day to day in both the civilian and military aviation maintenance organisations”.
The variety in the team extends beyond Engineering. Team Chef, Richie Weston an RAF Chef of 10 years is providing catering for all four military entries this weekend (2x RAF, 1x RN, 1xRE) “This is a great opportunity to come along to events such as the race weekend. I’ve travelled and met numerous people from across the RAF of all different trades and backgrounds. I’m learning about other trades whilst showcasing mine to them.”
Callum McDougall, Turn 7 Limited who previously supported the RAF Motor Racing engagement day at Mallory Park in August continues his support to the team. “I had the opportunity to race one of these cars at this event in 2019 and was grateful of the invitation to come back to Anglesey with the team in a support capacity this weekend. I’m offering my services as a driver coach to help the 8x RAF drivers get the best from themselves and the cars, 6 of the 8 drivers haven’t driven this circuit before and only 2 of the drivers have driven these cars before.”
Qualifying is due to get underway this afternoon at 1345 which will see the drivers set the cars down to bed tyres and brakes in and learn the circuit. Live timing for the event can be found here.