Colin Queen: Knockhill, Let’s Go!
Hello!
Here’s a few thoughts on the build-up to this weekend's race with the BRSCC National Series at Knockhill in beautiful Scotland. Coming off a successful weekend at my first BRSCC National Race at Donington, I ran a local event at Silverstone which was very cool. I was finally able to get a lot of much needed rain practice. Unlike Donington where I was thrown into the deep end, with qualifying being my first time driving in the pouring rain. (Rain is something extremely foreign in California.) I did well over the Silverstone weekend, being one of the fastest on track. The racing here in the UK is extremely competitive, and the field has so much experience it’s a sink or swim environment...this brings out the best in me. Before I landed in the UK back in April, I had 6 test days in an F1600 with Phil Geibler Racing which helped me practice shifting, rev matching and getting an overall feel of a proper race car versus the kart I've been in for quite some time.
Since I’ve been in the UK I have had an incredible amount of seat time with 8 races and over 10 days of testing in less than 2 months. I must say, it’s been amazing working with the Low Dempsey Team and I can’t thank them enough for getting me up to speed so quick. My driving coaches Matt Shawyer and James Theadore have been a huge help and have great insight to these tracks, which are all new to me. The Ray Race Cars are impeccably prepared and very quick...thanks to Matt & Josh (our mechanics!). All of which, has provided me with an incredible opportunity to focus on sharping my skills and test myself in my rookie year against some of the best in the business.
Leading up to this weekend's race I’ve been at the flat with my teammate Max Esterson doing a lot of schoolwork catch-up and prepping for finals which start next week. Sneaking in a break from school and hanging out at the race shop happens often. Last week, the team's third driver, Andre Lafond, made it to England and is now staying with Max and me. We all had a chance to practice together Friday at Donington and we also introduced Andre to our favourite food place, Nando's. It was nice to get back in the car to knock some rust off and welcome our new teammate to the UK. In preparation for Knockhill, my usual pre-race prep consisted of reviewing video, track maps, taking notes and visualising the weekend. It looks like a fun technical track with some elevation changes but may be a tad bumpy. Although it’s a short lap it should provide for some good formula ford racing. Yesterday, I dropped off my equipment at the shop, along with packing up the trailer. I spent 6 hours in the car with team principal Andy Low, his wife Rianna and my engineer Josh Bowman, always good times! The usual suspects and a few local hot shoes will be here this weekend, so I once again have my work cut out for me. To say I’m excited to race in Scotland is an understatement. I have family roots here and my parents even named me after the legend Scottish rally driver, Colin McRae. I’m prepared and will leave it all on the track. Let’s go!
- Colin Queen