First-Take is a new series in which GPVWC members take part in a live interview, with the transcript then made available for all to read. With First-Take, I hope to try and get the answers that are honest, raw, and not pre-planned. I hope this will be as fun for everyone to read as it will be for me to conduct.
Our first participant is a current GPVWC Superleague driver, and Woods Racing member, Tom Parker. Parker, 19 years old, hails from Swindon, and has been a member of the GPVWC since 2010. Tom has made appearances on the GPVWC Superleague grid for four different teams, and is no doubt having his most successful season to date with Woods Racing. He sat down with us to talk about his season so far, life as a Woods driver, and many more topics of conversation.
- You joined the GPVWC back in 2010, starting off with ST Racing. What were your first impressions of the Superleague when you first joined, but also of the GPVWC in general?
TP: Ahh those were the days. Back in 2010 I thought OH MY GOD NEW LEAGUE LETS JOIN, seeing as I was at the age where I joined everything that had a Megane. But my first impressions of GPVWC were that this was a serious league for serious racers. Something I had never come across in my simracing career. ST was a good start for me as well got me into the league slowly just a shame I couldn't help Mark more when I was there.
- How would you rate your 2012 GPVWC Superleague season out of ten so far?
TP: Good question. In terms of personal improvement driving wise I'd say a 7 but performance wise maybe a 6. I have wasted a lot of opportunities this season, Zandvoort and Spain in particular, and I need to improve that side of things to acheive better things. Lets say 6 and a half.
- In the past, I think it would be fair to say at times you let your temper get the better of you, thus affecting your driving and sometimes post-race behaviour. Is this something you've directly worked on improving for this season? Or is it just something that has mellowed with age and experience?
TP: Ahh yes those were the days. I still to this day get pissed but tend to keep myself to myself rather than go batshit on the forum. Mexico SC 2011 anyone? I think Ollie has helped me the most in terms of temper this season. He has been a real man dealing with me and when the going does get tough he's there to sort me out. Obviously as I get older I'll be less of a stressy dick but considering the change in little over a year, I think its been good.
- After showing promise in various races through 2010 and 2011 in both Superleague and Supercup, you got the opportunity to race for Nordsjoen Racing last season, albeit temporarily. Do you feel you made the most of the opportunity to race for what at the time was by far the best team and car combination? Or is there some unfinished business there?
TP: Most certainly not. I should've acheived a lot better whilst at Nordsjoen last season. My one race ended in failure due to internet problems whilst the final race of the season I had to miss due to internet troubles again and it cost Nords the title which I will feel forever shite about. I did learn alot from Joe about racing though and him helping me so it wasn't completely wasted. Unfinished business, well that'd be flattering if Nords were to offer me a seat but I've signed with Woods for 2013 so that book is closed for the next couple of years.
- With Nordsjoen seemingly struggling to field more than one driver these last couple of races, would a return to your former team interest you if the opportunity arose in the future, beyond 2013 anyway?
TP: To be offered a contract with Nordsjoen in any sense would be a huge honour but I think my time has been and gone and my reputation in terms of driving quick are too low so I think that book is closed. Like I said, Woods is my home for a couple of seasons more so nothing will draw me away.
- You joined Woods Racing with not a great deal of expectation on your shoulders, especially with a previous race winner as a teammate in the form of Kieran Ryan. What were your expectations for yourself before the season began?
TP: Honestly, I thought I would get beaten horrid by Kieran and I was only expecting a handful of points finishes. I have really exceeded my expectations not only by finishing every race I crossed the line in the points bar Nurburgring where I got into an unfortunate accident but by beating Kieran. He is a quick driver but having outqualified him 12/14 and beaten him in all races bar 1 it hasdefinitelyexceeded what I thought was possible at the start of the season.
- It would be true to say that your teammate Kieran Ryan has come in for some criticism for not performing to the best of his abilities so far this season. Would you say that is a fair assessment?
TP: Ah its tricky with Kieran. He has the pace to be scoring regular points but he just lets himself down with silly mistakes and sadly it seems to come more often than not. We all know Kieran is quick and is capable of scoring good points but I think it's just a case of too many small mistakes which have run up into a lot of losses during the season which has done no good for his reputation.
- You're one of the first drivers to have already been confirmed to a race seat for the 2013 season, remaining with Woods Racing. Speculation is rife over the other Woods seat, with drivers such as Dave-Carr Smith, David Gaspers, Phil Cullen, even more unknown quantities such as Boyd Bryson and Ben Warren being linked to replacing Kieran, if the Irishman is shown the door. Who would be your ideal teammate for 2013?
TP: Yeah I thought I may as well commit now, I don't want Ollie fretting over losing me. And why would I move when we have a good thing going on in the team? Everything has gone well this season so it's just a case of building on it. As for my teammate, yeah Woods seem to be popular in the silly season this year which is nice. DCS would be an amazing teammate for anyone to have. Yes he would smash me stupid but having him would push me a lot harder to be faster and try and get closer to him. Anyone of those drivers mentioned would be fantastic teammates though and it will be interesting to see who I do eventually end up with come 2013.
- Despite what can surely be considered a solid first season with Woods Racing for yourself, generally it has been a disappointing one for the team as a whole, considering the rich history this team has. Has this slight downturn in form over the last couple of years led to any strained relationships, or a bad atmosphere at all within the team?
TP: Not at all. Yeah we are all a little down about our position because, as you said, for a team that has been runner up twice in its history being 9th is a huge shame for us. But when we look at who is ahead of us, a lot of teams are being carried by one driver so if it were all evened out, maybe we would be closer to the pack. But the atmosphere in the team is not to get pissed by this but drive us on to improve the car and come 2013, we willbe aiming to get Woods back to the glory days.
- What are your personal goals for the remaining races of the season?
TP: I am determined to finally break into the top 10 in the drivers standings. If Nurburgring had gone without trouble I think 8th was the least I would have got. I want to pass Joe and Janne in standings and beat David and Pavel along the way. I am driving better than ever before and I need to get this more as a personal goal so I have something to spur me on next season.
- Finally, what are your hopes and aims for the future in the GPVWC Superleague?
TP: To win the title one day. Should be everyone's aim in this league to acheive the title but being realistic, I would love to at least have a victory to my name or even a podium would be fantastic. I probably will be remembered as the dick who cut all the time but if I could win, maybe people will change their minds and remember me for my pace rather than my antics.
I'd like to thank Tom for taking the time to answer these questions. Any constructive criticism and advice is welcome, I've never really done anything like this before, but I hope you enjoyed reading. If you would like to be considered for a First-Take interview, please feel free to PM me (Ben Warren) and we'll take things from there. Drivers/team bosses/former members/casual fans are all welcome! Until next time....
