Category Archives: 2013

Third Round of the MRF

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With all the racing compacted into two days, it was looking to be a full and hectic weekend. This did not effect Laura’s performance as she receieved some of her best results in the MRF Challenge.

Laura was seeing some promising times during practise but due to a difficult qualifying she was positioned 14th for race one. After a great start in the first race, Laura found herself picking off drivers and competing in the top ten to finish a well driven 10th.
Starting 10th the second race, Laura was determined to improve her results yet again. She was now consistently competing in the top ten and still pushing. Seeing a glimpse of 7th place, Laura went for a move but out broke herself trying to avoid another competitor, losing her a position. Another great drive saw Laura finishing 8th.

With two good results under her belt, Laura was confident to move further up the grid.
Unfortunately due to tyre difficulty in the third race Laura had lost rear grip causing her to spin in turn 6. The spin fuelled Laura’s determination to catch the pack up and even though she was competitive enough to make up lost ground, Laura really struggled with the car set up and wasn’t able to finish in the top ten.

For the fourth race Laura was back in 14th, and a tyre change meant her confidence was strong again. A bad start didn’t give her the advantage she was hoping for and a battle was making it difficult for her to come through. Lining up another driver for overtaking, unfortunately she wasn’t prepared for her competitor to brake early, and with the car not quite in the right position Laura hit the front left enabling her to finish the race.

All around, it was a great improvement for Laura and we look to expect some great things at the next round of the MRF Challenge.

MRF Challenge round 2

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After hearing the great news that Laura would be competing in full MRF championship, she was determined to get a head start before the next round in Bahrain. After completing a series of simulator session at both Carlin Motorsport and iZone, Laura felt prepared and ready for the race in Bahrain.

Electing to go for a full run in qualifying for experience, (Rather than losing a few laps for new tyres) meant a slightly lower grid than she had hoped for, but she was still determined to make a breakthrough in her overall race pace.

By the time race three came around, Laura was feeling confident in the car and ready for action. As she started to come through the field a damaged wing and broken wiring loom didn’t allow Laura to receive the result she was hoping. Her race ended prematurely as she had to pull to the side on the main straight.

Even with this small set back, Laura showed the speed is there and she had improved massively yet again throughout the weekend.

The next round is approaching fast and with 5 races in one weekend, her competitors will be looking over there shoulder. Laura is pushing for that podium to prove she deserves a drive for 2014.

 

 

 

MRF Season Press Release

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BRITISH STARLET TILLETT SECURES BACKING FOR FULL MRF CHALLENGE CAMPAIGN
Aspiring professional racing driver Laura Tillett is delighted to confirm she will fly the flag for the UK for the remainder of the 2013/2014 MRF Challenge season, having secured vital sponsorship off the back of a strong debut in the FIA-sanctioned single-seater category in India just over a week ago.
Having been on the car racing sidelines for 12 months since concluding her maiden season in ‘slicks and wings’ in the 2012 Protyre Formula Renault Championship, the 22-year-old from West Malling is thrilled to be back in action and determined to shine over the course of the MRF season.
“I’m very excited to be competing in the MRF championship and to be able to visit the fantastic circuits which are on the calendar”, said Laura, “I feel very privileged to be able to race in such a great class, I wasn’t expecting anything like this to happen to my racing career this year. I am really grateful to my sponsors for the opportunity, we’re aiming to make good progress.”
Although the chance to debut in the opening event of the MRF Challenge at Buddh International Circuit, which ran as support to the FIA Formula One World Championship’s Indian Grand Prix on 26th/27th October, came at the eleventh hour, Laura grasped the chance with both hands.
Despite gearbox issues with her Renault-powered Dallara, which impacted her pace during practice, qualifying and the first race, the Kent starlet secured a 13th place finish in the second encounter even though she had to serve a drive-through penalty after slightly rolling on the grid at the start. Off the track, her profile was boosted after being interviewed live on the Sky Sports F1 Channel.
As well as support from new sponsor Kinesio, Laura is backed by TILLETT Racing Seats, ET Fashions, Puma Motorsport and Point Racing. She is also an ambassador for Caterham Motorsport, with links to the Caterham F1 Team.
Her next outing in the MRF Challenge will come at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir four weeks from now, on Friday, 29th November, and Saturday, 30th November, where rounds three and four of the new season will take place as support to the FIA World Endurance Championship.
From there the MRF Challenge will return to Bahrain on Friday, 20th December, and Saturday, 21st December, for rounds five and six with the season finale scheduled for 15th/16th February next year in Chennai, India.
“I am really looking forward to racing at Bahrain”, added Laura, “I watched the Bahrain F1 race on TV last year and thought it would be a great place to drive – I never expected I would be driving it a year later! After racing at Buddh [in India] and seeing what a great track that was, I can’t wait to get back on track as soon as possible in Bahrain.
“Racing on the same circuit, on the same weekend, as Formula One in India was the best moment of my racing career. There was a great atmosphere, it really focused my commitment and I wanted to achieve more than ever. I would love to be able to race at that level again and hopefully racing in MRF will open the door for me to do it again next year.”
Prior to making her car racing debut last year in Protyre Formula Renault, Laura competed at the highest level in karts in the CIK-FIA World Super KF Karting Championship. In 2009, she made history by becoming the first female to ever race in the premier class.

Indian Grand Prix

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Indian GPA great achievement in Laura’s racing career as she was given the opportunity to compete in the support race of the Indian GP.

This was Laura’s first time out in a race car for over a year and with a gear box issue throughout the weekend, it didn’t hold Laura back from achieving some promising results.

Laura was also interviewed by Sky F1 live and BBC throughout the weekend, notching her profile up and getting her name on the top of Driver Data Base Buzz List that weekend.
Videos to follow

“The MRF challenge is a brilliantly run championship, with all the cars identical and run under theIndian Grand Prix same roof, it really give a great atmosphere, not to mention close and competitive racing”

“The 2.0 ltr Renault backed car is a great car to drive and really helped me gain my confidence back to push myself every time I hit the track”

Watch this space to see what other opportunities may be on the horizon in the next couple of months.

Laura’s big come back at the DKM Genk

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Laura’s first outing in 9 months was bound to be difficult, especially as it was in the competitive arena of the DKM championship. Probably the most competitive national KF series in the world.

The practice was marred by the terrible weather and an engine blow up, not the best preparation when with a new team.

It was dry for qualifying and Laura found herself qualifying 19th with not a bad time, considering all the dry running was done slowly running in the engine.

Heat one was a great start with Laura getting back into the racing, a small engine power problem was rectified but the engine blew up in the second heat.

In the finals the wet returned and Laura made it up to 23rd from 31st. The final was ruined on the first corner when she was hit from behind and another driver drove over the front of Laura bending the steering. She continued to 19th with a decent lap time with such damaged steering.

Tough luck on her return to high level karting but at all times Laura looked good in the kart and even with a damaged steering and small engine problem in the final, Laura was only four tenths off the fastest time.

Big come back

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Portimao WSK July 2010

Laura will be competing in the German championship in the KF2 class.

Racing is takes place at the popular Genk kart track in Belgium on the 12th and 13th October.
With many previous great results at the Genk circuit, Laura is looking to come back with an impact.

Laura will be competing with team KSM on a Tonykart.

Watch this space for results, photos and updates

Laura’s seat in the Caterham F1 car

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Laura's seat in the Caterham F1 car

Laura was given the opportunity to take the Caterham kart on its first trip out on track. This wasn’t any normal track test as Laura drove the newly made Caterham kart next to the Caterham F1 car in Magny-Cours in France. Laura quotes “it was an amazing experience to be driving the kart on track with the F1 car, not only hear the F1 engine revving beside me but the be within arm’s distance driving next to one, something I will never forget”. As if that wasn’t enough Laura was also given the chance to sit in the bright green F1 car and test for size, perfect fit. Continue reading →