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(Below is a copy of a page on www.hewland.com called `driver profile`. The links to race reports work only from there.)
Age 41. Born: 16.8.65 in Reading U.K.
Overview:
Ten seasons of racing are under my belt. I am (was) also regarded as a good development driver due to accurate feedback and analysis. This is probably aided by my mechanical engineering background. Since 1992 I have been M.D. of Hewland Engineering; the racing transmissions company started by my father, who invented the bespoke racing car gearbox.
2000 :
Only two races, due to concentrating on Hewland Management:
SRWC at Barcelona with MBR: DNF. Race report.
Privilege GT round at Brands Hatch: 4th. Race report.
1999 : Various
Having closed my team down at the end of `98, I sat out the early part of the `99 season.
BOSS: I drove an F3000 car in a BOSS race to 4th place.
A deal to drive in selected events with Lister cars, from June onwards, materialised.
British GT Championship, in GT2 partnered by Thorkild Thyrring:
Brands Hatch: DNF (After running second). Race report
Silverstone GP: 2nd (After leading for all of my stint). Race report
Silverstone Int: 1st Race Report
FIA GT Donington Park; Partnered by Julian Bailey and Andy Wallace: 2nd. Race report
1998 : Privilege Insurance BRDC GT championship with Hewland Engineering Motorsport.
My team ran a Lister Storm GTL in the GT1 category of the Privilege Insurance British GT Championship. The drivers were myself and Paul Evans. The series was extremely competitive and unfortunately we were not able to obtain the Michelin tyres that the Lister really needed to work well. (We proved this in a post season tyre test).
Results:
Two seconds, Two thirds, Two fourths, One fifth, One Sixth, One DNF.
1997 : Privilege Insurance BRDC GT championship with Hewland Engineering Motorsport.
My team took on the ASCARI GT1 racing project to compete in the Privilege Insurance BRDC GT championship. We successfully re-engineered the car but the all new turbo BMW engine project (not a Hewland responsibility) was to prove late and in need of development, which hampered our seasons start. At Donington in August however, I drove the car solo which means I had to endure a 30 second penalty in the pits. I was 27 seconds behind the leader when the race was red flagged (stopped early) with eight minutes to go. Fourth place would have been 1st or 2nd even with the penalty.
Generally the season was a washout due to the engine problems, but the chassis ended up very good, with our development.
The last two races of the season in PRO- SPORT 3000 were contested to keep my hand in due to the lack of GT races.
Oulton Park and Donington: TWO WINS, Two fastest laps.
1996: Pro-Sport 3000 with Hewland Engineering Motorsport.
Third season in Pro-Sport 3000, to defend title.
My results from 10 races contested: (11 race season)
Winner of Championship;
9 wins, 1 DNF, 9 poles, 7 fastest laps and 2 new lap records.
Also; one off British Formula Two outing at Silverstone in June with Fred Goddard Racing. This was `just for fun` and involved using a 1991 Reynard car with only twelve laps practise beforehand. I ran a strong third during the race before mechanical failure caused my retirement.
1995: Pro-Sport 3000 with Hewland Engineering Motorsport.
I continued into a second full season of Pro-Sport 3000; this time expanding the team to run two cars.
My results from 17 races:
Winner of Championship;
5 wins, 5 seconds, 5 thirds; 2 DNF; 5 poles, 11 fastest laps.
Also outright circuit record at Croft and new lap record at Donington.
1994: Pro-Sport 3000 with Hewland Engineering Motorsport.
Set up my own team, HEWLAND ENGINEERING MOTORSPORT, to run in closely fought PRO-SPORT 3000 one make series.
Total results:
3 Wins, 2 Seconds, 5 Thirds, 3 Fourths, 1 Fifth , 1 DNF.
Three pole positions , Three fastest laps including 1 lap record.
ALSO: Took a drive at Le Mans with Astratech Harrier team. The car was completed far too late to be trouble free and retired early on, but at least I qualified the car easily and completed a long stint. Good experience!
October/ December 94. Formula Two test driving for Nicholson Mclaren (with Fred Goddard Racing) for development engine.
1993: British F3 with Fred Goddard Racing. Class B.
A frustrating year. Stayed with old car from year before and was under funded in probably the most competitive year of class B formula. One fourth place and five fifths in tough fourteen car class B field. PRO SPORT 3000. Two races with factory. One win, one second. Also: Race engineered briefly for Fred Goddard Racing in F2.
1992: British F3 with Mark Bailey Racing; Class B.
I started the season with a Ralt RT35 / Mugen and later swapped to a Reynard 913 chassis.
Best results:
At first ever F3 race, qualified 10th overall and set new lap record which stood until 1996. Finished third in class due to clutch problem.
F3 became harder with new team becoming lost with chassis set up but still achieved six top three finishes in class.
Finished 9th overall in British Grand Prix support round.
1991: ARP F3 series:
1991 was the heyday for this series (for three year old cars), with up to 23 cars on the grid. I drove a Ralt RT 31 / JUDD
Best results:
Four Wins, six poles, six fastest laps.
Three electrical failures whilst leading races meant third in championship. (I was still in the frame to win the series at the last race of season, but suffered a mechanical failure ).
1990: Toyota Formula Three Championship.
First year in car racing. Easily the most competitive year of formula, with 35 entries. (Incomparable to the present remnants of TF3, now in historic class). I drove a March 803 / Toyota
Best results:
Two second places, one third, one fourth, three fifths.
One pole position, one lap record, three fastest laps.
Sixth in series out of 35 cars.
1984 to 1989: Karting with works Hewland team.
Returned to Karting in senior category and had about 10 wins at club level. Twice finished second in 100 National season championship at Blackbush circuit.
(I was elected president of Camberley Kart Club in 1997)
1981 to 1984: Rested from racing to concentrate on college and work at Hewland Engineering.
1978 TO 1981: Karting with works Hewland team.
Many wins at club level.
In 1979 I finished third in the R.A.C Junior Britain Championship and third in the season long `Road And Racing` sponsored series. These championships were the highest level possible.
Chronological experience list, of racing cars driven:
Van Diemen '85 Formula Ford
March 803 / Toyota F3
Van Diemen Formula Forward
Ralt RT31 / Judd F3
Ralt RT35 / Mugen F3
Reynard 913 / Mugen F3
Pro-Sport 3000 Sportscar
Harrier LMP2
Reynard 90D / DFV F3000
Reynard 91D / DFV F3000
BRM / Nissan SR1 Sportscar
Ascari TT / BMW GT1 Sportscar
Jade Sportscar
Lister Storm GTL GT1 Sportscar
Open Fortuna by Nissan single seater
Swift / Toyota Formula Atlantic
Formula Palmer Audi single seater
Courage C51 / Nissan Sportscar
Reynard 93D / Mugen F3000
Reynard 93D / DFV F3000
Footwork Judd Boss / F1
Tyrrell / DFR `90 F1
Lister Storm GT2 Sportscar.
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