The alarm buzzes early on a Friday morning, signalling the start of race weekend. Dad and I hit the road by 6:30 AM, making the drive to Manfeild, where a full day of practice awaits. By the time we roll into the paddock at 8 AM, the team has the car ready and waiting – prepped to hit the circuit.
Dennis, Jono, and the rest of the team are already in action, making last-minute adjustments and fine-tuning my and the other team cars. There’s an air of anticipation as we gear up for the first session, usually kicking off around 9 AM. But before I can hit the track, there’s the usual routine: signing in with race control, scanning the skies for any signs of changing weather, and setting my personal goals for the day.
One of the highlights of any practice day is catching up with the other drivers. The camaraderie in the paddock is something special – everyone’s got their own stories, experiences, and insights to share. But soon enough, it’s time to get suited up and ready to go.
A good practice day typically consists of five or six sessions out on track, each lasting around 15 minutes. Despite what some might think, it’s not about setting blistering lap times. Instead, it’s about dialling in the car, understanding how it reacts to the conditions, and working closely with Jono and Dennis to make necessary adjustments. Each session is a learning process – feeling out the grip levels, assessing the setup, and thinking strategically about what needs to change.
Between runs, Jono and I dive into the data, discussing whether we should make minor tweaks or bold changes. Track temperature, tire performance, and even the smallest setup variations can make all the difference. Sometimes, progress isn’t linear – you can go faster in one session, only to lose time in the next as you experiment with new settings. But the ultimate goal is to wrap up the day feeling confident, knowing we’ve extracted the best possible performance from the car.
Friday practice is all about setting the stage for Saturday’s all-important qualifying. When we leave the track, I want to know that the car feels right, the setup is strong, and the team and I are ready to take on whatever the weekend throws at us.
