Coaching Success at the GT Winter Series in Valencia
Valencia, a racetrack brimming with personal and professional memories, set the stage for another exciting chapter in my motorsport journey.
The GT Winter Series, renowned for its perfect blend of competitive racing and a relaxed atmosphere, provided the ideal environment to mentor an aspiring gentleman driver. Our weekend was marked by technical challenges, strategic learning, and podium finishes that highlighted the importance of teamwork and professional guidance.
- Winner in Class
- Fastest Lap
- Ferrari Challenge 488
- New Challenge
- Multi Class Race
- Reference Laps
- Racing & Driver Coaching
- Podium Finishes
Category
Racing Driver, Driver Coaching
Project
Van Ommen Racing, GTWS Ferrari Challenge
Location
Spain, Valencia
Published
February 19, 2024
Project Summery
Valencia: A Track Full of Memories
Returning to Valencia always evokes special memories for me. This is where I participated in the Formula BMW selection and won, becoming a BMW Junior. It’s also where I experienced significant moments in Formula 3 during official test days and where a TV docuseries for Nick TV was filmed. Valencia’s technical and demanding circuit makes it a favorite destination, and this time, it was the GT Winter Series (GTWS) that brought me back.
The GT Winter Series
The GT Winter Series, going towards its sixth season in 2025, offers five race weekends with three races each, exclusively for the fastest and most extreme GT racing cars. Joined by the GT4 Winter Series, the Formula Winter Series, and the Prototype Winter Series, this event is perfect for aspiring endurance racing stars, gentlemen drivers, and professionals. It’s an ideal platform for off-season racing, learning, and preparation under excellent weather conditions at some of Europe’s best circuits.
Mentoring an Aspiring Gentleman Driver
This weekend, my main role was to mentor Frank, a gentleman driver with a Ferrari 488 Challenge. My tasks included teaching him driving techniques, identifying braking points, and helping him find the car’s limit while stepping in if he was about to exceed it. We began with a vehicle check to ensure everything was in range. Once confirmed, Frank joined as a passenger while I showed him the track, braking points, and areas to watch out for. After a few laps, Frank took the wheel, impressively handling his first experience on this demanding track.
Frank made significant progress, but an unexpected issue occurred at the end of the day. A sensor failure caused by pickup or a stone led to the loss of ABS at a braking point, resulting in a gravel trap incident. Frank handled it professionally, an essential skill for any driver—managing unforeseen situations and learning from them.
Free Practice and Testing
The next day, my task was to check the car again, warm up the tires, and ensure everything was ready for Frank to continue his progress without any distractions. Due to the previous day’s ABS issue, the tires had developed flat spots, and we only had new tires available.
For my check-up run, I had a limit of three laps, so I needed to make every moment count. On the new tires, the car felt perfect, quickly confirming that all technical problems had been resolved. I followed my warm-up procedure meticulously, knowing I had to gather as much data as possible in the limited laps.
In the third lap, I decided to push the car to its limits. I deliberately went over the limit in turn 5 to understand how the car behaved at the edge. This small mistake cost me 0.4 seconds, but it provided valuable insights into the car’s performance. On my in-lap, I corrected the error and continued gathering data till I boxed.
Despite the 0.4-second loss, the data showed that my lap time could have beaten last year’s Ferrari Challenge qualifying winner by 0.1 seconds if I had completed the lap without the mistake. However, my priority was to provide Frank with the best possible data and a strong reference lap. The insights and on-board footage from my run gave him invaluable information to improve his performance.
Racing Success and Podium Finishes
Frank continued to improve, steadily increasing his lap times during practice, qualifying, and the first two races. His hard work paid off as he gained valuable race experience and even secured a spot on the podium, a rewarding moment for both of us.
The Final Endurance Race
Starting from the back of the grid was an exciting challenge, giving me the opportunity to overtake numerous GT3 cars and engage in thrilling battles. The competition was fierce, with many teams having professional drivers as their second driver.
From the start, I focused on overtaking as many competitors as possible. My first stint was so strong that I managed to take the lead in my class. However, we didn’t stop there; we aimed to be the best. When the Hypercar driver joined the race within our class, it triggered a remote duel for the fastest lap times.
Four laps before the end, my main competitor set a blistering lap time, raising the stakes. I was informed of the time to beat by radio, and with two laps to go, I managed to push the car even further, ultimately beating his time and securing the fastest lap. This not only earned us the fastest lap but also ensured we stayed ahead, securing the top spot on the podium.
This victory was a testament to the effectiveness of our teamwork and strategic planning. The trust and collaboration between me, the team – Van Ommen Racing, and our newcomer played a crucial role in our success. The measures taken, the procedures in free practice, and the trust built up ensured that we could win and set the fastest lap. The GT Winter Series provided the perfect environment for learning and growth, and our combined efforts and determination showed the potential within us. This result highlighted that Frank made the right decision by partnering with us. Standing on the highest step of the podium was a proud moment, reflecting the hard work, trust, and collaboration that went into this achievement.
