Home » Blog » Allan's Blog » PRE SILVERSTONE BLOG

31 August 2010 | Posted in Allan's Blog

I'm busy preparing for the Silverstone race a week on Sunday (Sep 12), an important event that is not only the fifth and final round of the Le Mans Series but the first of three races in the inaugural Intercontinental Le Mans Cup - and I can't wait to get back racing.

I'm driving with Tom Kristensen on this occasion and it's very important TK and I, and of course Audi, get off to a good start in the new series as Peugeot, our main competition, will be keen for revenge especially after our Le Mans success.

Le Mans was my last race so it's been a long summer without racing but we have been very busy with testing and motivation is high. Silverstone marks the first time Audi and Peugeot have faced each other since Le Mans so you can expect fireworks and a titanic fight between us.

The Audi R15 TDI has already won two out of the three races we've done this year and TK and I will be fighting hard to make it a third win on what is the R15 TDI's UK race début. It's effectively this car's final race on European soil this year.

I always like racing at Silverstone. In fact, I had my first ever car race there and I have had success on all the variants of track since then. It has been quite a happy hunting ground throughout my career. With most of my racing taking place abroad these days, it's really nice to ‘come home' to catch up with fans and family that come along to watch.

I have only seen the new track layout on television. It still has the long, fast section from Copse to Club and then the slower section back to the start-finish line. I don't think the track will be any easier but actually more complicated for set-up with aerodynamic grip and balance being important in the first part and mechanical grip and balance in the second part.  I am sure it will, as always, produce a good, exciting race.

I hope many of you can attend, it should be a great race but I thought it may be interesting for you to know how what I do each day . . . well this is the plan!

I arrive Thursday at the track, I generally run the track in the afternoon just to see if anything has changed since I was last there, kerbs, bumps that sort of thing, and of course on this occasion layout.  I'll then have a meeting with TK and our engineers to speak in detail about how we approach the weekend before a main Audi Sport team meeting.  I then try to see the physio to treat any previous war wounds before the circus all starts.

Friday, after administration checks you have a driver briefing, a bit like an assembly at school but we get the chance to bring up problems at previous races, sometimes it gets heated and a bit of hand bags at dawn but it's all part of the game, then it is into practice sessions and debriefs. 

Friday night I have an event with the British Racing Drivers Club to talk to the next generation of British Stars about "what it takes to succeed", driving talent is not enough, a modern driver is a business man, an image for international companies, a sound bite for the media, an athlete, a 200 strong team motivator, to lead the direction of engineering of the car, tyres, engine, as well as a good racing driver.

Saturday' sessions are split focused on the race and qualifying and getting a front row slot for the race, when it all comes down to it the tyres are at their peak for just one lap. After that there is a Press Conference for the quickest qualifiers and then a team debrief . . . how was it in qualifying but also what do we do for tomorrow. 

Finally practice some pit stops with TK before being presented with a trophy by the Automobile Club des Pilotes for the most successful British driver at Le Mans this year.  Then a massage and off to bed.

Race day . . . race face but also media face and sponsor face. After warm up in the morning I will visit all three of my personal sponsors who are at this event.  Graham and P & H have a load of guests coming and Jim Russell Racing Drivers School have important meetings at the track. Everyone needs the insight, the dedicated autograph, the photo, the driving tip just before I leave to go to the official Autograph session and then off to see the many Audi guests who all want to see another Audi victory, nothing like expectation!  

At about 11am I will get changed into my race overalls and get my race face on, check my two helmets, grab some pasta and a drink - more of that yellow looking drink from our team doctor - before hopping into the car and taking it to the grid before the start - assuming that I'll be starting.

Another banana and then a final trip to the loo before a hand shake here, a short interview for TV or radio there and then finally with about seven minutes to go I get my radio earpieces in, my balaclava on, my helmet and HANS strapped on and then my custom made gloves and slide down into my ‘office', my private world, check the 15 knobs and switches to change the car I have on my steering wheel and then a last tighten of the seat belt to prepare for the defining moment.

Here's hoping I can add to the wins I achieved in the corresponding races at Silverstone in 2004, 2005 and 2008 for Audi.

 Add to Digg        Save in De.li.cious

Post a comment »

Leave your comment (HTML is not allowed)


Name


Email Address (not published but required)


Web Site Address (optional)