Toyota GT86 meets the FBS

Last Saturday see the Fueltopia Team take on a new challenge, Toyotas First Drift school day using the Barrel Sprint track as its focus. The day started nice and early with the track team meeting at Warwickshires Prodrive test track for 6.30am. Bright and early we set to laying out the track ready for 28 competitors to arrive to learn to drive the GT86 round those barrels

After I briefed the competitors what the day had in store for them our instructors took to the course for a demo and then set about teaching their groups the way to tackle the course. After all this wasn't just a competition of the drivers there was a team trophy up for grabs too. 

Lets just say not all the drivers took to the barrel sprint course immediately, but that didn't stop them smiling :)

But over the day driver skills noticeably improved which set the standard for the afternoons qualifiers. 

Unfortunately due to a noise complaint of screechy tyres we had to extend lunch for a visit from the local fire station- lets just say the ladies wern't complaining! Thanks to these guys we were able to get the afternoons racing complete with no more complaints. 

While we waited for the track to be sprayed over our instructors had some fun on the skid pan taking some of the competitors and their guests for passenger rides (I wasn't scared...much! ;) )

The afternoons qualifiers see some great times set with the top four finishing the day in a competition for podium places. The first Semi final see Martin Johnson (team Danny) take on Paul Renwick (team Rob). Martin took the win into the final. The second semi final was between Harry Erksine (Team Richard) and Paul Parsons (Team Danny), Harry took the lead and went head to head against martin for the 1st and 2nd places. Congratulations to Paul Parson who took the win in the fight for 3rd on the podium.

The final was tense and after a run that I think most agree with me was terrible, when martin managed to hit two barrels and Harry completely stopped on track as he realised traction control had been turned back on and the car was not playing. We allowed the two drivers to race again. This time Martin managed a clean run and took his well deserved podium position. 

With two of Dannys drivers taking podium places this soared his team to victory with 32 points accumulated by all team members,  Congratulations to you all.

After the podium presentation it was time to pack up and head home, thanks to our sponsors Monster Energy, despite the 4am wake up calls for my team they were still all in high spirits

It was a great day all round and I would again like to thank everyone involved. Hopefully it can be the start of a successful relationship with Toyota.  

Photos by Philip 'paps' McCusker