February 13, 2016

 

Minnow team targets getting on the scoring board in 2016 and not being 108% dreadful

BackMarker Brigade trundled up for their 1pm launch at 1.06pm today and team boss Simon Smith declared it a happy occasion. "At least I'm inside the 107% time for a launch" remarked Smith. The team, facing a worse financial crisis than an Icelandic bank, showed off their minimalist livery for 2016 and showcased their two drivers for 2016 - Simon Smith and former Superleague driver Calvin Hermse.

"I'm so happy to have Calvin in the team" declared teamboss Smith. "He was a real trooper for ST racing and I don't think we've really been able to see what he is capable of in a car in anger. He certainly wasn't 5 seconds off the pace on talent alone - that's my speciality." Smith then went on to speak about how this year, BackMarker Brigade's 9th year in rfactor league racing, is about celebrating the spirit of racing against adversity. "Calvin and I encompass the spirit of the underdog - the spirit of simply enjoying being out on track and taking on the great challenge of the race. For me, it's not about pure results,although points would be nice after the first year ever completely pointless in 2015. I enjoy the team spirit, the community that I choose to surround myself in and the fun of taking part."

"The butterflies on the car represent living on a wing and a prayer, the bear paws represent our cuddly nature with the barriers and the song notes, which have been on almost every car since 2006, represent the march towards the chequered flag against all the odds. Music heals the soul and will push me on further."

So what are the prospects for 2016?

"It's a smaller grid, although perfectly formed. This year half the field score points and with the new platform of Rfactor 2, I'm hoping that some of the competition has some issues with the transition and that the newness allows for some mixed up races and gives us the opportunity for some points. The tyres are now a massive issue and traditionally in open wheelers, that has always been my problem personally so I am expecting the same this year. Similarly, in the shakedown at Hockenheim, I had a lot of trouble under acceleration in the slow corners. However, as always, I'll be looking at a 100% finishing record for myself and to close up the time deficit to the front of the field."

The team will turn wheels in anger at Abu Dhabi for the pre season test and will be aiming at gaining more knowledge and to be well inside the 107% rule come the season opener.