Ben Evans Racing

Its been a long time since I’ve posted on here, and the past few months have been hectic, but highly enjoyable.

At the start of the year the main project was the Formel Vau Championship. I had a hugely enjoyable time racing the car and after claiming my win at Varano in June went on to score another podium at Hockenheim and would have scored another but for being punted out on the last lap by a backmarker. Although I didn’t know it at the time Hockeheim would be my last Vau outing of the year.

I had to miss the Magny Cours round after getting the opportunity to commentate for the VdeV meeting on the Brands GP circuit with Brian Jones. Despite the weather it was a hugely enjoyable day and easily as much fun as the day Brian, Richard Neil and myself had spent at Thruxton commentating on the Trucks the week before. Then moving into October I had to miss the Nurburgring season finale as I was off to Barcelona to commentate on the World Series by Renault for Setanta. Even so I ended up 5th in the overall standings and had a great time.

From August onwards my commentary life has become really busy, which has been enjoyable and pleasing. In 2008 I’ve been pinging all over the country commentating at Pembrey, Anglesey and Croft, together with Silverstone, Brands, Lydden and Thruxton. It has been a great year, especially as it has also been my first. Highlights have been working the pits through the night at the Britcar 24hrs, the big truck meetings at Brands and Thruxton and two great clubbie meetings from the BRSCC at Brands and the BARC at Croft, where everyone was welcoming and friendly. Hopefully in 2009 I can build on this year.

Somehow I also managed to stumble into to being a TV commentator, covering the World Series by Renault on BT Vision and Setanta. This has been awesome, especially travelling to Estoril and Barcelona to cover the last two meetings live, after having done most of the others as highlights from the studio - a great experience nonetheless. Nothing is set in stone yet but hopefully this will continue into next year. A big thanks to Nick Kennerley and Martin Perry for their support and help.

Faced with a weekend off in October and based on a couple of conversations with David Willey at MSVR the Vee Festival came into being, with just six weeks between the concept to the event. The meeting itself was mega (congrats to Sam) and ran like a dream, as my anticipated weekend of spearcatching turned into one of gossiping and commentating. However the reason I belive the event was a success was becuase of all the effort put in beforehand particularly from David Willey and David Scott at MSVR, and Gethin Jones and John Townshend from the Vee Centre. David Willey’s help was invaulable in ensuring the event took place, and didn’t bankrupt me in the process, whilst Gethin did an amazing job in marshalling the entries and getting some very generous sponsorship from Strategic Communications Services (SCS). Likewise a big thanks to all the competitors involved for turning up with their enthusiasm and making the event a success. Without the support of the drivers there would not have been any Vee Festival

The crowning moment of the weekend was the announcement from Jonathan Palmer that the Vee Festvial would be back in 2009. 2008 has been a great start for the Vee Festival and I’m looking forward to consolidating the meeting into an annual event in 2009.

So now I’m faced with a winter break. I have to say I’m in need of one, having spent more weekends than not at racing circuits since April. That said it won’t be all rest and play as I will have to sort out commentary dates for 2009 and begin to put the groundwork in place for next years Vee Festival.

Finally, a huge thanks to everyone who has made the 2008 racing season such an enjoyable one for me, as a driver, commentator and event organiser, without their help and support none of the above would have happened.