Jun
7
Dan Cammish: Victory on JTR debut!
Hello everyone,
It has been a while since my last blog and there have been many changes since then. After a disappointing start to the season with KMR and the Spectrum Chassis I have recently joined my new team Joe Tandy Racing and am now at the wheel of a race winning Mygale. After a days testing at Snetterton two weeks ago we were ready to contest round 3 of the MSA Formula Ford Championship at Zandvoort. Supporting the F3 Masters was always going be a brilliant event but I was blown away by the Circuit, its facilities and atmosphere. With no prior testing at the circuit I was at a disadvantage to my close championship rivals and with only two 40 minute sessions it was always going to be difficult. I enjoyed the circuit from the first lap and as I grew with confidence my lap times tumbled. By the end of the second session I was 5th fastest only 4 tenths from Pole.
The Sun was shining hard as it had been since I arrived at the beach front circuit in Holland and Qualifying was approaching. I was very confident of a good result as I was getting faster with every lap of the circuit. With only 3 flying laps in Qualifying I managed to post a best lap of 1m44.57 which was enough for 5th on the grid now only 1 tenth from the pole time of Josh Hill. With such a long lap it was great to see so many drivers so close showing the depth in this years championship. My second best lap was good enough for 3rd overall in Sundays second race of the weekend and 2nd of the the British Championship.
With a combination of British, Benelux and Danish drivers on the grid we became part of the Formula Ford Euro cup which came with its own prizes.
I was feeling confident after qualifying closing up to be within 1 tenth after just 90 minutes of track time. The first race was midday Saturday and the sun was still beating down. Josh Hill stalled away from the grid and I was up to 4th at turn 1. The next few laps were under safety car as a couple of cars had to be moved from the start line. At the restart I held 4th before pouncing on mistakes made by Emil Bernstorff of Jamun and Dennis Lind of Fluid. I was up to 2nd and using the slipstream down the long straight managed to pull along side Jake Cook for the lead at the start of the next lap. A brave move around the outside of turn 1 saw me take the lead. Another brief safety car kept the pack close and I made an excellent re-start to hold my position in turn 1. From there I had 4 Laps of intense pressure which felt like an eternity but I held on to take my first Formula Ford Victory. It was an excellent result, at such a brilliant event. My first victory, first race in a Mygale, first race for JTR. A brilliant start to the weekend. Taking 1st in the British Race and 1st overall to take the lead of the 1 round Euro cup. Standing on the podium with the national anthem being played was without doubt a highlight of my career. Tears in my eyes with relief from the moment I crossed the line, that Win was a long time coming.
Race 2 was Sunday evening at 6pm local time. Torrential rain and wind made it very difficult. A rather uneventful race saw me finish 3rd in the British and 5th overall, missing out on the Euro cup victory by a single point to race 2 winner Dennis Lind.
Overall it was an amazing weekend, a 1st and 3rd in the British Championship saw me leave as top points scorer and second in the championship after Scott Pye’s weekend was hit with problems when he retired from qualifying on lap 1 and had to start both races from last position.
I am now looking forward to getting back out at Castle Combe and building on the weekend. I hope to be chasing Scott Malvern’s Championship lead over the rest of the season.
Cheers
Dan Cammish