After some wonderful time back in Perth with my family, I am now back in the UK and the 2023 season is fast approaching.
Leading into the season, I’ve been continuing to train hard, and have adapted my program to fit the nuances of endurance racing. One notable example being an increased amount of “heat training”. As I learned during testing at the end of last year, there is no air flow in the GT car, and you’re sitting right behind a hot race engine. Therefore, it can become like a sauna in the cockpit!
Whilst in Australia, I flew across to the Bathurst 12 Hour with the team who were over to compete. This was not only an incredible experience, but also an invaluable learning opportunity. I have been able to draw many things from this time which has been a great head start for my preparations for the season.
The actual race itself was fascinating, and the strategies involved are far more complex than I expected. Obviously, being such a long race, having a strong strategy is vital, but the depth of planning involved really surprised me, and is an aspect of endurance racing which I am very much looking forward to.
March is going to be a busy time as we commence pre-season testing, and I can't wait for Round 1 in Monza in April!
The full 2023 GT World Challenge Europe calendar is;
Official Test Days - Paul Ricard, March 7-8
Round 1 - Monza, April 21 - 23
Round 2 - Brands Hatch, May 13 - 14
Official Test Days - Spa, May 23 - 24
Round 3 - Paul Ricard, June 2 - 4
Round 4 - 24hrs of Spa, June 27 - July 2
Round 5 - Misano, July 15 - 16
Round 6 - Nurburgring, July 29 - 30
Round 7 - Hockenheim, September 2 - 3
Round 8 - Valencia, September 16 - 17
Round 9 - Barcelona, September 29 - October 1
Round 10 - Zandvoort, October 14 - 15
Thank you for all the support, and I look forward to keep you posted through the exciting year to come!
Calan
