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2010 International & Single Seater News News of young WRDA members who are competing in the International & Single Seater arena. |
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WRDA member & young Welsh racing driver Andy Meyrick confirmed his
credentials as one of the UKs top young talents with an exhibition of his driving skills
in the 007 Lola Aston Martin prototype, in the Autosport 1000 Km of Silverstone on the
weekend, but he was sadly let down by the indiscretions of his co-drivers in the car; the
apparently experienced duo of Mexican Adrian Fernandez and the Swiss driver Harold Primat.
Fernandez blotted his copybook early on after he crashed heavily in free practice on
Friday. Unfortunately the teams mechanics could not repair the car in time for Saturday
qualifying, and the car failed to set a time; leaving Meyrick and his team-mates stranded
at back of the 44 car grid due to start dead last. However Andy tried to put a brave face
on it. "In a 6 hour race anything can happen. The team tactics are to drive as fast
as we can." Hear Andy explain
more Indeed Fernandez tried his best to make amends, overtaking 10 cars on the first lap and working his way up to 7th place at the end of the first hour. However the Stewards had judged that he was too aggressive in barging his way up the field and handed the car a Stop & Go penalty, which saw the car tumble back down the order again to re-start in 21st place. Fernandez worked his way back up to 16th before he eventually handed the car over to Andy, who then proceeded to give an exhibition of how it should be done, by turning fast laps in a smooth consistent fashion, but without putting the car in danger. He had pulled the car up to 9th place when towards the end of his session, he was hit from behind by a car he had already lapped! With the commentators at pains to emphasize that Andy was not at fault, the team however made the decision to pit early to check for damage and make a tyre and driver change, putting Harold Primat in the car for the final stint. However in contrast to Meyrick, Primat seemed to attract trouble much like Fernandez had done earlier, and was forced to make an unscheduled pitstop to change a tyre after picking up a puncture, trying to force his way past another car in a rash manoeuvre. Rejoining the race, it got even worse for Primat and the team as he later spun after contact with another car and then compounded his mistakes but spinning the car into the gravel trap and out of the race! Andy summed up his weekend by saying: "It’s been a very enjoyable experience being here with Aston Martin Racing but obviously the result is a disappointment for everyone on the team". The race was eventually won by the Peugeot diesel car of Nicholas Minassian and Anthony Davidson. For 2011 Aston Martin, who have relied on Lola chassis for the last few years, will make their own chassis to compete at Le Mans after the organizers, the ACO, moved to equalize the regulations that have in the past favored cars with diesel engines. It can only be hoped that they make Andy a member of their driving line up. After the team de-brief from the Silverstone event, Andy will have a few days at home before returning to the USA with Dyson Racing for the final round of the American Le Mans Series, the prestigious Petit Le Mans 1000 Mile race on 2nd October. http://www.astonmartinracing.com/ http://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/Le-Mans-Series/ http://www.lemans-series.com/en/s01_home/s01p01_home.php Live Commentary from Radio Le mans http://rlm08.0157.org |
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