The Loughborough College Rallycross Team headed to Rounds 2 and 3 of the BTRDA Clubman’s Rallycross Championship at Pembrey Race Circuit in Wales last month, with new title sponsor Wera Tools UK backing the team for an exciting weekend of races.
Keen to continue last year’s winning streak, drivers and motorsport lecturers Alex Fletcher and Gary Cook were eager to defend their respective 2022 championships titles.
Supporting this year’s success, the College team is very proud to welcome Wera Tools UK on board as a new title sponsor. Motorsport lecturer Alex Fletcher explained, “We are working towards an ongoing collaboration between Loughborough College and Wera Tools UK. It really is a fantastic opportunity to have such a positive company onboard to give our learners more opportunities than before”.
With a two-car team making the journey to Pembrey, BTEC Motorsport learners were keen to experience working as Motorsport Technicians in a real-life environment.
Year 1 learner Oli North explained, “It’s a totally different experience, preparing the cars at the College compared to the circuit. It’s so exciting knowing we have prepared and set up the vehicles that are out on track. It really helps with our wider knowledge, and experiences like this support us for future careers in motorsport,”
Things got off to a strong start on day 1 with lecturer Gary Cook winning his class by a considerable margin. But engine trouble on day 2 meant despite speeding off at the same blistering pace as the previous day, Gary claimed a very respectable third place on the podium.
The action didn’t stop there as the team saw continued success with lecturer Alex Fletcher. After an impressive second place standing on day 1, the College dominated the track on day two, qualifying on pole to take an impressive lights-to-flag win by over three seconds and claim the title for the weekend’s fastest lap.
Learner Fin Warner added, “Pembrey has been an amazing experience for us all. We are so impressed with our tutors.
“For them to switch from lecturer to racing driver within seconds and put in that kind of performance is awesome. It is fantastic to be working on race vehicles that are out there on the track and winning!’
The pit operations, carried out primarily by students were all overseen by Gary and Alex alongside lecturers Adam Coe and Darren Wallis.
Student Tiff Newson explained, “It’s very reassuring having support there with Adam and Darren. They give us all the responsibility on maintaining and changing set up on the vehicles but are right there to answer questions and offer advice as it’s an extremely fast-paced environment”.
Reflecting on the weekend’s performances, Alex Fletcher commented, “It’s been a very positive weekend overall. The Pembrey Rounds are very physically demanding, and all the learners have progressed so much in a short space of time.
“It’s fantastic how they have maintained these vehicles to such a high standard, allowing us to bring home the results for the College”
Congratulations to all the team, racers, and learners who brought home such a fantastic result!