Abbie Eaton won the BRSCC Mazda Supercup championship last year after a very tough fight throughout the season ending in a finale so dramatic that it could have come from a movie script!
We caught up with her for a quick chat to ask about her championship year and about her plans for 2015.
GR: Hi Abbie, It’s been several months now since you took the 2014 Mazda Supercup championship, has it sunk in?
Abbie: Yes it’s finally sunk in! 2014 will certainly be a hard one to beat thats for sure. The BRSCC awards night was a couple of weeks ago which was a great evening. Now i’m concentrating on making this year equally as successful.
GR: You’ve also won some other awards in recognition of your great season, can you tell us about them?
Abbie: I was nominated for two awards back in my home town of Hull. Firstly, the Hull Daily Mail Amateur Sportsperson of the Year award and also the Viking FM Sportsperson of the Year award for my 2014 season achievements. I somehow won both awards which was a great feeling as I was up against very talented individuals, but it’s a great feeling to have the support from my hometown.
GR: Were you always confident of taking the championship in 2014?
Abbie: Absolutely not! There was a good 4/5 times I felt like throwing in the hat and going home. The start of the season I was fairly sure I’d lost all my chances of winning- It was a very difficult time for both me and the team with getting our head around the new changes on the car but eventually we got there and went from strength to strength. Aside the obvious poor driving from another competitor that very nearly ended my championship hopes, I had great reliability from the car throughout the majority of the season minus the last round which I can safely say was my worst weekend of racing in years! With a blown engine and being taken out I went through a huge emotional roller coaster of ups and downs to finally win the championship by 1 point. Phew!
GR: When, during the season, did you first feel like you had a good chance of taking the title?
Abbie: We started to get our heads around the car at Snetterton which was a great feeling to finish on the podium in both races. But Anglesey was a definite turning point for me, having 3 wins and 3 fastest laps meant I was back in contention and leading the championship. From that point on I knew I needed to be consistent and stay out of trouble.
GR: Can you tell us about your plans for 2015?
Abbie: In 2015 I will be competing in the GT Cup championship in the GTB class BMW M3 with Geoff Steel Racing. I will be driving alongside Michael Symons throughout the season and hope to continue my success from 2014.
I will also partake in select rounds of the Young Timer Touring Car Challenge in a historic Rover SD1 Vitesse alongside my Dad. I’m really looking forward to racing with my Dad which is something I’ve always wanted to do. We will also visit lots of tracks abroad which is great- I’ll finally be able to drive Spa!
GR: Sounds like it’s going to be a very busy year but a very good one. It’s going to be a very different experience sharing a car, especially with your dad, how do you feel about it?
Abbie: I’m really looking forward to the new challenges and I can’t wait to get in the cars! I think it’ll be harder for my Dad taking a back seat as we have always been a family run team. Although I know Geoff is keen to utilise my Dad in any way he can, which he will love!
GR: The GT Cup BMW M3 is very different to your Mazda, do you think it’ll take some getting used to?
Abbie: Of course it’ll take a bit of time to acclimatise to the speed difference and also racing on slicks will be a new venture, although I have worked with many cars that run slicks so it shouldn’t take too long.
GR: Do you know much about your new co driver in GT Cup?
Abbie: Michael Symons is a quick driver that has proven results, including winning the Britcar 24hr Race. So I’m looking forward to working with him and also Geoff Steel to get the best out the car and myself.
GR: What do you think your chances are for this season, can you take another title?
Abbie: I think myself and Michael have a great car underneath us and we have a good chance at winning the GTB title and can hopefully do enough to win the overall title too.
GR: How is funding looking for 2015, are you confident of having enough to have a good season?
Abbie: I’m hugely grateful to have Oughtred & Harrison Vehicle Conversions back onboard for another year and have also gained new sponsors including Sental Recruitment LTD and Westfield Homebuyers.
Let’s hope 2015 is equally as successful as 2014.
Thanks for talking to us and good luck for the season in both GT cup and the Touring car challenge. We’ll bring you details on Abbie’s season as the year goes on. By Marc Waller
