Wet Brands Hatch proves no barrier to single seater debutants.
Day of learning boosts confidence for further outings.
Formula Kart Stars trio Josh White, Sam Oram Jones and Luke Whitworth arrived at Brand Hatch on a wet and blustery autumnal day having never sat in a single seater racing car before. By the end of the day all three had experienced, and excelled in their first taste of ‘slicks and wings’ even if the slicks were replaced by more suitable treaded rubber.
Reigning Formula Kart Stars Mini Max champion White, his fellow Mini Max driver Oram Jones and Junior Rotax frontrunner Whitworth, earned their test drives with the Formula BMW Talent Cup thanks to their performances at the Formula Kart Stars round at Whilton Mill in September, which was attended by then head of BMW Motorsport Sebastian Herke.
“Going into the test, I was still excited, but also a bit nervous,” recalled Whitworth, whose only previous experience of the legendary Kent venue was in an iZone simulator. “I’d had no preparation in those kinds of conditions, so it was almost a case of having to learn Brands Hatch all over again because the lines are so different in the wet, but I just had to get on with it.
“The track was extremely slippery and I did have a few ‘moments’, but I really enjoyed driving the car,” continued Whitworth, who earned two of his three podium finishes in 2011 at Whilton Mill. “It felt totally different to a kart and was definitely a big leap, bigger than I had thought it would be, if I’m honest, and certainly an eye-opener.
“I definitely got better as the day progressed, and as my confidence increased, I was able to push harder and go faster and I made fewer errors. I just loved the entire experience, and I feel it helped to improve me as a driver.”
At just 13 years of age Oram Jones was the youngest driver at the test but, like Whitworth, was full of enthusiasm.
“It was brilliant today and I was very happy with my overall performance,” said Oram Jones, who finished fifth in the 2011 Formula Kart Stars Mini Max class with one victory. “It was wet all day, and one other driver and I were pretty much gone from the rest of the field. A lot of the other drivers had driven single-seaters before and so to be up with people of that calibre was really encouraging.
“Overall it was a good experience and I’d like to thank BMW for giving me the chance to do it.”
Formula Kart Stars Championship director Carolynn Hoy was particularly pleased that BMW were able to provide the three FKS drivers with their maiden single seater opportunity.
“Formula Kart Stars and the Formula BMW Talent Cup both share the same passion for educating young drivers on and off the track,” said Hoy. “The Formula BMW chassis has been a successful part of junior formulae racing for some time now and it’s a proven product that allows real talent to shine through. I’m grateful to BMW for giving Josh, Sam and Luke their first opportunity to drive a real racing car and I’m sure it won’t be the last time we see them in single seater action.”
Photos: KPB
News by:
Henry Beaudette
Motorsport Journalist and Commentator
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