Blog / Second Race at Silverstone
03 AUGUST 2023
After encountering setbacks at Oulton Park in May, Maurice and his partner faced car-related issues that prevented them from participating in the race. Undeterred by this disappointment, Maurice has dedicated extra hours to training for the remainder of the British Endurance Championship (BEC) season. Sponsored by integratedAIR, Maurice and Team.HARD returned to Silverstone on June 24th for a 2-hour race, with hopes high for a successful outcome.
With renewed optimism, Maurice and his team invested significant effort in developing and upgrading their car to emulate a quintessential British touring racing car. Maurice shared his initial thoughts, saying "I approached the weekend with a positive mindset, eagerly anticipating the race. I had prepared and felt physically fit."
Unfortunately, an issue with the clutch slave cylinder arose on Friday, meaning the entire day was required for the removal of the engine and depriving Maurice of any practice time until Saturday morning.
During the practice session preceding the qualifying round on Saturday, both drivers noticed a lack of power on the straights. After analyzing the telemetry data, the team discovered low turbo boost pressure. Nevertheless, they exhibited improvement in the corners, showcasing their dedication to improving the suspension set up.
Maurice reflected on the race, stating, "The compromised qualifying session, right after the repairs, hampered our starting position, and we began from the back. Despite working remotely with the engine manufacturer to secure additional boost, it didn't significantly enhance our competitiveness during the race, preventing us from launching an aggressive attack.”
Compared to more physically demanding courses like Brands Hatch where there's mostly corners and very short straights, Silverstone offers a more spacious environment for racers reaching very high speeds entering into the braking zones of very high speed corners. Its over two-minute lap comprises numerous straights, differing from other circuits in what it demands from the car and driver.
Maurice expressed contentment with his race performance, considering the challenges faced. His intensified fitness regimen has paid off during the extended races, demanding more from his body. While disappointed about the lost time on Friday, Maurice remains optimistic for the final two races of the BEC.
Maurice's penultimate race in the 2023 British Endurance Championship is scheduled at Snetterton on September 16th. The integratedAIR Team eagerly anticipates witnessing Maurice and Team.HARD's hard work and dedication to this car paying off in full at the upcoming event.