After the previous update, I’m very pleased to finally announce the details of my new drive. At the beginning of the year after I got back from America I started looking at possibilities to drive again, I spoke to a few people about options and even looked at financing a car myself, within a few weeks of posting the news about gaining my license, my Dad received a call from a friend, Mark Ramplee owner of the Electromec Racing Sierra Sapphire, he got in contact to talk about an idea he had and ran it past my Dad.

The car has a lot of history as it was one of the first purpose built super gas cars – since then it has raced in Pro ET and Super Gas by Mark under the Electromec Banner. The car has been updated considerably from its initial build by Electromec services as well as ARRC and really is a beautiful race car – Not only that but it feels nostalgic to be driving a sierra considering Dad raced his in the 80s when I was first brought along to the track.

The cars last outing was testing in 2009 where after a new engine was fitted Mark ran the car into the 8.7s. After that test session, work commitments meant that the race car had to be parked up…until now of course.

A few weekends ago at the peak performance test session we finally managed to get the car out onto the track, after many months of work and we were all very pleased with the outcome. By the end of the day the car was running really well and consistent with minimal maintenance needed between passes and I drove the car to a new PB for myself and the team of 8.67 at 155mph. (Mark still holds the MPH PB but I’m sure I’ll nick that off him soon too!) Having proven myself to the team and having my UK license officially signed off we are looking to hopefully get some more test time this year before the 2012 season.

Of course all of this would not have been possible without help of some very special people  – Massive thanks go to Mark and Claire and Electromec Services (www.electromecservices.com) for their faith in me and letting me loose in the race car – I hope that I’ve proven that it’s a decision you won’t regret.

The crew and everyone that supported me getting to this point and while testing – Curt, Rich, Mum, Dad and Luke – Having your encouragement was priceless.

Clive Bond at Ultimate Race Cars for helping build and supporting the team with the methanol big block ford engine.

Jason and Jamie from FGR motorsport for very kindly, helping me last minute with fuel.

Matt Woods for taking some brilliant photos while I was testing and helping me with promotion for the team.

And finally to my sponsors who have helped to get the team back onto the track Dance2Fitness (www.dance2fitness.co.uk), Lucas Oil (www.lucasoil.co.uk) and Andy Robinson Race Cars (www.robinson-race-cars.co.uk) – We’re extremely proud to represent your companies and we appreciate your involvement with our team.