Laura Tillett BBC Kent Radio Interview
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MRF Challenge round 2
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
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
A 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 the
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
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.
TKART Magazine News
Big come back
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
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
Tillett Welcomes Clic Sargent Youngsters To Donington
Laura Tillett welcomed an inspirational group of race goers from CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, to Donington Park on Sunday, 19th August, where the 21-year-old was in action in the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship. Continue reading
Henry Surtees Brooklands team challenge
Laura attended a wonderful event this week, the Henry Surtees Brooklands Team Challenge.
This was a charity kart event held at Mercedes-Benz World in aid of the Kent and Surrey Air Ambulance Trust and the Henry Surtees Foundation. The event was filmed by Sky F1 and will appear on the channel along side of the British Grand Prix this weekend. Continue reading
