19-year-old Team BRIT rookie, Bobby Trundley has made quite an impact on the team since joining last year. In his first race in the BMW 116 Trophy he blew everyone away, storming to victory. He was also part of the winning team in last weekend’s Daytona 24 hour endurance event, clocking the fastest lap of the event. Here Bobby tells us about his time with the team so far:
Since being invited to join Team BRIT my life has changed beyond anything I thought possible.
At first I was insecure and anxious of being without my family. After spending time at the team’s HQ at Dunsfold and getting to know everyone I began to build my confidence. The support from the whole team and my fellow rookies has been fantastic. I have been given opportunities which I feel no one else would have given me due to my Autism and the challenges I face.
My first test drive with Warren in the Funcup car was brilliant. Getting to grips with the hand controls and driving round the Top Gear Track was like a dream come true. Warren is a fantastic instructor and mentor, he has confidence in my abilities and is someone I look up to.
After some great track sessions around Silverstone and Brands Hatch in the Academy Polo I started to learn how to adapt from karts to cars. I was pleased to see that I still retained my consistent pace and my confidence grew. I was looking forward to being let loose on my own in the BMW.
I was booked in to test the BMW at Silverstone and unfortunately we had a family issue and no one could go with me. I was extremely anxious but my determination to race cars made me face my fears and I went on my own.
On arrival I worried about all the usual stupid things about where to park, talking to the man on the gate etc. but once I saw the Team BRIT trailer in the distance I began to relax. This was a big day for me, the first time I got to drive the 116 on my own around the iconic Silverstone track. I had the best time of my life so far that day. I was ready to prepare for my first race at Brands Hatch in the inaugural round of the Gaz Shocks 116 Trophy.
Race testing went well on the Saturday. The car drove like a dream showing good pace and I was setting competitive, consistent lap times. Al Locke and his team had prepared the car to perfection, she was a front runner for sure.
In the build up to qualifying and the race, Martyn Compton kept me calm and reassured me of my ability. Everyone was incredibly supportive and it was great to have my family and friends make the trip to watch. It was wet but I qualified P2
At the start I used every strategy I knew to keep calm, I knew what I had to do. I didn’t have the best start so I went defensive at turn one to maintain my position. I knew consistency would be the key to a good result.
At the pit stop around thirty minutes into the race I asked not to be told my position until the end. I knew I was top three but due to the other classes running at the same time I wasn’t exactly sure where I was running. I left the pits and quickly settled back into the race, negotiating traffic, staying consistent and determined to get on that podium. As I crossed the line and saw P1 on the board I was ecstatic. I had won my first race! I felt so proud and cried with happiness.
Thank you all at Team BRIT and its supporters. To Dave Player, whose vision and British Bulldog Spirit made this possible. I salute you!
