Carlin Japanese F3
Carlin could become involved in the Japanese F3 championship this year. Carlin sent technical staff and Ferrari junior Callum Ilott out to the pre-christmas two-day official test at Suzuka to help the OIRC Team YTB squad, which has just bought two of the team’s cars. Ilott – who competed at the Macau Grand Prix with Carlin – is not in contention for a seat, as MN sources report he has signed with Charouz Racing System for Formula 2 this year.
■ Complimentary personal accident cover with JLT ■ Discounts on competition and road car tyres, at Protyre, the fastest growing chain of fast fit and mechanical garages in the UK ■ 10 per cent off competition insurances and 15 per cent off road car insurance with Adrian Flux ■ 10 per cent off in-store at Halfords ■ 10 per cent discounts off Grand Prix Racewear’s branded personalised overalls ■ 10 per cent off outdoor apparel and equipment at the UK’S leading independent outdoor and mountain sports retailer, Ellis Brigham ■ Discounts on ferry travel to the continent with DFDS
New CEO at HSCC Age: 66 Lives: Buckinghamshire
He was once a karter “I raced karts when I was very much younger when serving as a policeman in Essex. There was a big karting track in Tilbury where I was stationed and I was also involved in Seaxes, a police motorsports club. Then I got married, had a family and a succession of race cars. I got the interest and time back in about 2005 and looked for a suitable challenge.”
Tour Britannia grabbed his attention “I dabbled with the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club but in 2008 Tour Britannia came along and I did that as well as the E-type Challenge: I also raced with U2TC and Masters. I’ve raced at Le Mans Classic three times, as well as the 2015 Le Mans Legends support race.”
He’s just starting as HSCC boss “Through Tour Britannia I got my clerk of the course licence and then the opportunity to work with the HSCC. I said back in about 2009 that I’d love to have the job of CEO for the HSCC and now I have the chance.”
Is there too much racing? “I think there is so much choice in historic racing that people are tending to cherry pick. We need to continually strive to make our offering different. Price is important, but that’s not the only factor. It’s about the event as a whole. Racers are there for a weekend and are in the car for around an hour. So what do you do for the rest of the time?”
Meeting competitor needs “At one end of the spectrum we have competitors with motor homes and at the other end we have people who bring the race car in a box trailer and then use it to sleep in overnight. We need to cater for both and ensure the whole experience is safe and enjoyable. For instance, some of our partners like the GT and Sports Car Cup and Historic Grand Prix Cars Association have superb hospitality for their competitors.”
Circuit hire is a challenge “The cost of the race is not just the cost of the track time divided by the number of cars on the grid. There are all of the administration and staff costs to be factored in.”