WARNING: Motor Sport can be DANGEROUS – that starts with parents, siblings, partners and sponsors of the drivers! It will be interesting to see a study of the health risks associated with watching motor racing for those with a connection to the drivers.
Here is a sponsor’s view of the first weekend in this year’s F4 Championship.
I have known Andy Middlehurst almost as long as Chris has been alive and it is a very real, if occasionally a heart stopping pleasure to be involved in what everyone hopes will be a long and successful career in motor racing.
Solid pre-season testing meant hopes were very high of a winning start to this year’s campaign. Chris was confident going into the weekend of picking up where he finished last season. He had won the ProTyre Renault Sport Championship with races to spare and was brimming with confidence.
It was a shock I am sure to qualify for the first race down the grid – but hey ho that happens from time to time – consequently he attacked the first race from the start moving past five cars in the first lap and then BANG – a slower car in front gets out of line, sweeps back onto the track and take Chris out of the race at over 100mph. He might laugh at the footage, but us oldies blanche – oh for the fearlessness of youth!
Thanks to sterling work late into the night by Alan and the team, the car was ready in time for Sunday’s two races. Chris of course had to start the first race that day at the back of the grid, and at P15 for the second: many would have already written off the weekend, but Chris Middlehurst is a chip off the old block – his dad has always liked a challenge and so does he.
Two fine drives saw him place 7th in race 2 and 4th in race 3 – terrific performance in those circumstances and one which he was delighted with.
Divers with real talent don’t dwell on podium finishes because that is what they know and expect. The genuinely talented learn from apparent disaster, and end the weekend with 35 points and a top 10 standing in the overall table when frankly no points and utter disillusion beckoned!
A word from this sponsor is: Chris Middlehurst – watch this space.
Robbie Ross is a solicitor from Swindon who has become a firm friend to Chris, his father and those who work closely with the team. His support has allowed Chris to compete at the highest level and win a lot of races along the way. On behalf of the team THANK YOU.