When David Pittard entered for the Henry Surtees Foundation All-Comers event at Buckmore Park he knew he would be up against the best of the best, all attending to support a worthy cause, but ultimately all fighting for the top spot.
David arrived at the highly acclaimed Buckmore Park Circuit as always with a unfaltering confidence, but this time with a level headness that illustrated he knew full well that the calibre of his competitors would present the hardest race of his career to date. None the less, the Herts based youngster proceeded into qualifying fully focused on the job in hand.
“Practice was a mixed bag really, with some good and some bad laps. After fighting hard for some space I grabbed a couple of clear laps that left me finishing P4 and P7 in Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2 respectively. Following practice I knew that it was essential that I raise my game for quali. I used my head and managed to get a slipstream down both straights and set myself up for a good lap which put me P3 in the session which I was really happy with!”
With the pre final grid set by the joining of the 2 qualifying packs, Pittard lined up a promising 6th, with every chance of making it through to the final. But thing’s weren’t all plain sailing…
“I started P6 for the Pre final but I wasn’t aggressive enough from the start which left me tumbling down the order, and with a lot of work to do! I could see my chances of making the final slipping away from me, but by the final few laps I changed my driving and made some of my positions back. I got back to P7 which was enough to give me an inside line for the main final.”
With a renewed confidence and gritted determination, the young Brunel student donned his iconic fluorescent orange clad race helmet and set about preparing for the hardest race of his life.
“I was quite nervous about the final as I was worried about making a bad start again”. reflected David “but knew If i was more aggressive I had the pace to get a competitive result, and I was determined not to let myself down.”
As the green lights came on all hell broke loose and it was soon apparent that David had taken the brunt of the first corner mayhem.
“After getting a good start I was nudged wide through the first corner and then got out of the ‘train’ into the 2nd hairpin where I got firmly punted off! I managed to rejoin but by then I was way down in about 9th.”
With it seemingly all over before it had even started, it would take a truly herculean attempt to make it onto the podium. But in true Pittard style, that’s what happened.
“I knew it was now or never and worked with Formula Ford record breaker and Festival Winner Scott Malvern to build some pace, but I was faster than him so I passed him and set after Junior Max Champion Ash Hand. I spent the majority of the 15min race catching Ash who in turn was catching F3 front runner Jack Harvey and with 2 mins to go I passed Ash for 6th into the first hairpin. Ahead It was getting a bit messy between the 2 guys in front and on the exit of the penultimate corner they both had a coming together which gave me the run on both of them which catapulted me into 4th! The group behind then continued their battle which gave me breathing space to bring it home 4th which later became 3rd after a penalty to the 3rd place driver!”
Crossing the line ahead of such a ‘who’s who’ in motorsport was a truly fabulous result for David, and one which provides him with a chance to showcase his talent once again at the Formula Renault test day he wins as a result.
“The day was awesome! It was so much fun! Buckmore Park in the extremely even Club 100 karts was the perfect venue and the perfect karts to showcase my talent. The line up was amazing too…even competing on the same track as them was a real experience.”
“I’m over the moon with the result. To get on the podium with such a high calibre field of competitors at such a high profile event is amazing. To get the Formula Renault UK test with Manor Competition is what I came for. I’m so glad I got it and can’t wait to get out at Silverstone with the team and John Surtees himself watching me”.
“A massive thank you to my dad, my mum for coming to support me and John Surtees for arranging such a fun and brilliant event and everyone that made this event happen.”
