George Grant is confident of continuing his fine form in the Max5 Championship after taking his maiden victory last month (15 May) in the non-championship race in Pembrey.
Having finished the first two races in eighth (after a penalty) and fifth, the Kingston-upon-Thames driver lead over the finish line for the first time ever in his Paul Sheard-run Mazda MX-5. Since then, George has grown in confidence and is now hopeful that he can challenge for a podium place at Donington Park (18/19 June).
“I’ve just got a feeling that I’m gonna go well here [in Donington],” Grant said. “If I’m really honest I’m aiming for a podium, that’s what I’d like to do. I qualified second at Pembrey and made two schoolboy errors under pressure. I’ve picked up some vital experience from the last race, I was thinking, eating, breathing the circuit, so now I feel like I can do the same here.”
Grant missed the last round at Mallory Park, meaning he now lies ninth overall in the championship, but with the drivers allowed one round to drop, another good haul of points at Donington could see him climb up the standings.
This will be George’s third appearance at the circuit, having driven here in the Max5 Championship once before, as well as the Supercup series in the final race of last season.
“The last time I competed at Donington was in the Supercup. It went reasonably well, and I came about 15th or 16th,” Grant recalled. “We will take it as it comes really, I just can’t wait to get to grips with the track again.”
Heading into the race weekend a few changes were made causing George some issues with the tyre selections he has available to him.
“There has been a tyre selection problem. Throughout the year we have had three compounds of tyres, for this next race we selected the softest, but now they have decided that they will only allow this if there’s a chance of a wet race,” George explained. “So, we’re now back to the hard compound. Frankly, I don’t mind either way because I’ve got more experience working with this tyre manufacturer.”
Grant has taken a ‘relaxed’ approach to the next round of the series, and is hoping that his time away from the track will allow him to be refreshed and ready to go. He’s due to arrive at the circuit on the Friday for testing, which is essential to understand how the tyres work and make some last minute set up changes ahead of qualifying and the race day.
This next round is yet another opportunity for George to raise funds and awareness for the Coming Home campaign, which provides specially built homes for ex-service personnel who have unfortunately received life-changing injuries.
Please visit www.coming-home.org.uk for more information.
