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February 20, 2010
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Williamson Dynamics Grand Prix were reportedly very happy with their first GPVWC pre-season test.
The team managed a combined total of 206 laps in the new WDF1.10, in the professional hands of drivers Gregg Lawson and Marco Vandenbroeck. The Lancaster outfit were clearly testing for overall reliability in the car and engine package, while testing how tyres and brakes functioned, Team owner Ben Williamson having categorically insisted his drivers avoid the temptation of low fuel hotlaps to climb the time sheets.
Despite this, the team were ecstatic to see Gregg Lawson take 6th place on the timing board by the end of the session, despite the alleged hinderance brought around by the Toyota powerplant. Many critics have claimed that the team's ambitions were clearly not serious, as the team made no attempt to attract deals from other, more prominent manufacturers. Williamson remains staunchly defensive of the engines ability to provide his team with what they require; "We aren't talking here, about an engine nailed together by people who couldn't care less. We're talking about the World's biggest motor manufacturer." further adding; "Dynamics. That word is in our name with good reason, we're an organisation that can, and have, won races through our understanding of aerodynamics and chassis technology. We spend a long time analysing our results, and not a single race win has been attributed to straightline speed. You can have all the horsepower you like, but if the chassis is a dog that tears tyres like they are made from tissue, you're going nowhere."
"We won, more than once, last season despite having a comparitvely low top speed. The Toyota unit is the right choice for us thanks to its reliability, toughness and long lifespan. The reduced contract fee was just the icing on the cake." Clearly, underpowered was not a word that could be used to describe the team's on-track performance. Both drivers reportedly very happy with the car.
Director of Race Engineering, Camilo Nino, explains; "If anything, perhaps the car suits Gregg marginally better than it does Marco. Gregg enjoys the natural slight understeer, he's a driver who grabs a car by the throat and controls it. Marco is perhaps the more experienced, calm, smooth driver. His debut with the team showed what that could acheive after the huge incident at turn one! The real difficulty is that, for any team, it is impossible to devlop a car down two routes. Development will always favour one driver at any given point, currently that driver is Gregg. We did no prior set-up work, and made no real tweaks during the session. Pace was not our aim here, however, it was very good to see both guys get so much out of the cars as they were."
When pressed for further detail, Mr. Nino added; "We ran the cars relatively heavy, with a basic setup. We wanted to investigate tyre and brake wear, engine reliability, and get a feel for the handling of the car. The resultson all counts were even more encouraging than we'd hoped for. Our trademark has always been the ability to drag more from our tyres thatn our rivals, with a little set-up work, we feel our tyre life will be superb. The engine too was faultless."
Inside the pit garage, both drivers were being briefed by engineers with regard to telemetry and MOTEC analysis upon our arrival. Gregg Lawson did find time for a statement however; "I'm quite happy with the Jerez test, and our positioning. We achieved what we set out to; learn about the car and its limits and where we can on develop it. The Jerez circuit really suited the car and it felt good. Monza will be just as important, where it might not suit the car as much, I expect a much tougher test of the car's overall package."
The Brit was clearly pleased with a beyond expected performance in an unproven package, despite a guarded cautiousness regarding the Monza test. Monza is very much a low downforce track, many teams produce unique rear wings just for this circuit. Here any dramatic lack in power from the questioned Toyota powerplant will be put on display, though the team seem confident in general, not least Mr. Williamson himself; "We've talked at length, we feel we can easily dial out any uncomfortable understeer for Marco without compromising our tyres. We also know where the biggest gains in development are to be made, which is reassuring. Expect a new aero package at the earliest opportunity. The changes will be small, but instantly beneficial. Our standard front wing design has some distinct advantages over some of our rivals, especially with regard to turbulent airflow. We'll also be looking at other gains elsewhere in the package."
Public Relations Director, Simon Smith, added in closing that the team would be employing test drivers to ensure the best in terms of overall development, by putting the cars in the hands of drivers whom would not normally driver them. Some of the team's star drivers from other leagues are rumoured to be in running for the two test drives that the GPVWC allows. Big names including New Yorker, Benjamin Chong, a fast and consistent driver who enjoyed a very strong season last year, despite misfortune and missed races. Chong clinched an impressive 5th in the driver's standings. Rizwan Sarwar has also enjoyed extremely impressive performances during the team's winter testing.
So, Finally, several hours later as we watch the last of the large heavy transporters the team use leave the circuit. We can't help but be a little excited to see what Williamson Dynamics can bring to the table in 2010.
The team managed a combined total of 206 laps in the new WDF1.10, in the professional hands of drivers Gregg Lawson and Marco Vandenbroeck. The Lancaster outfit were clearly testing for overall reliability in the car and engine package, while testing how tyres and brakes functioned, Team owner Ben Williamson having categorically insisted his drivers avoid the temptation of low fuel hotlaps to climb the time sheets.
Despite this, the team were ecstatic to see Gregg Lawson take 6th place on the timing board by the end of the session, despite the alleged hinderance brought around by the Toyota powerplant. Many critics have claimed that the team's ambitions were clearly not serious, as the team made no attempt to attract deals from other, more prominent manufacturers. Williamson remains staunchly defensive of the engines ability to provide his team with what they require; "We aren't talking here, about an engine nailed together by people who couldn't care less. We're talking about the World's biggest motor manufacturer." further adding; "Dynamics. That word is in our name with good reason, we're an organisation that can, and have, won races through our understanding of aerodynamics and chassis technology. We spend a long time analysing our results, and not a single race win has been attributed to straightline speed. You can have all the horsepower you like, but if the chassis is a dog that tears tyres like they are made from tissue, you're going nowhere."
"We won, more than once, last season despite having a comparitvely low top speed. The Toyota unit is the right choice for us thanks to its reliability, toughness and long lifespan. The reduced contract fee was just the icing on the cake." Clearly, underpowered was not a word that could be used to describe the team's on-track performance. Both drivers reportedly very happy with the car.
Director of Race Engineering, Camilo Nino, explains; "If anything, perhaps the car suits Gregg marginally better than it does Marco. Gregg enjoys the natural slight understeer, he's a driver who grabs a car by the throat and controls it. Marco is perhaps the more experienced, calm, smooth driver. His debut with the team showed what that could acheive after the huge incident at turn one! The real difficulty is that, for any team, it is impossible to devlop a car down two routes. Development will always favour one driver at any given point, currently that driver is Gregg. We did no prior set-up work, and made no real tweaks during the session. Pace was not our aim here, however, it was very good to see both guys get so much out of the cars as they were."
When pressed for further detail, Mr. Nino added; "We ran the cars relatively heavy, with a basic setup. We wanted to investigate tyre and brake wear, engine reliability, and get a feel for the handling of the car. The resultson all counts were even more encouraging than we'd hoped for. Our trademark has always been the ability to drag more from our tyres thatn our rivals, with a little set-up work, we feel our tyre life will be superb. The engine too was faultless."
Inside the pit garage, both drivers were being briefed by engineers with regard to telemetry and MOTEC analysis upon our arrival. Gregg Lawson did find time for a statement however; "I'm quite happy with the Jerez test, and our positioning. We achieved what we set out to; learn about the car and its limits and where we can on develop it. The Jerez circuit really suited the car and it felt good. Monza will be just as important, where it might not suit the car as much, I expect a much tougher test of the car's overall package."
The Brit was clearly pleased with a beyond expected performance in an unproven package, despite a guarded cautiousness regarding the Monza test. Monza is very much a low downforce track, many teams produce unique rear wings just for this circuit. Here any dramatic lack in power from the questioned Toyota powerplant will be put on display, though the team seem confident in general, not least Mr. Williamson himself; "We've talked at length, we feel we can easily dial out any uncomfortable understeer for Marco without compromising our tyres. We also know where the biggest gains in development are to be made, which is reassuring. Expect a new aero package at the earliest opportunity. The changes will be small, but instantly beneficial. Our standard front wing design has some distinct advantages over some of our rivals, especially with regard to turbulent airflow. We'll also be looking at other gains elsewhere in the package."
Public Relations Director, Simon Smith, added in closing that the team would be employing test drivers to ensure the best in terms of overall development, by putting the cars in the hands of drivers whom would not normally driver them. Some of the team's star drivers from other leagues are rumoured to be in running for the two test drives that the GPVWC allows. Big names including New Yorker, Benjamin Chong, a fast and consistent driver who enjoyed a very strong season last year, despite misfortune and missed races. Chong clinched an impressive 5th in the driver's standings. Rizwan Sarwar has also enjoyed extremely impressive performances during the team's winter testing.
So, Finally, several hours later as we watch the last of the large heavy transporters the team use leave the circuit. We can't help but be a little excited to see what Williamson Dynamics can bring to the table in 2010.
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