Last weekend was meant to be the one – my first ever real-world sprint race, my first time at Knockhill and the long-awaited debut of Tom O’F Cars on an actual grid.
After years of sim racing from my little setup on Islay, months of planning, and a very early start involving ferries, miles, and more coffee than I’d like to admit… I finally made it to Knockhill Racing Circuit to take part in the SMRC C1 Cup with Minimax Motorsport.
Testing Day – Finding My Feet
Saturday started with three test sessions in mixed groups – C1s and Fiestas all out together. It was chaos at times! The faster cars were constantly coming past, so finding a clear lap and rhythm was a challenge.
- Session 1 was red flagged after a roll (driver OK).
- Session 2 was red flagged again and cut short (driver OK).
- Finally, Session 3 ran the full distance and I started to properly settle in.
It was my first time in a Citroën C1 and my first time around Knockhill, so there was plenty to learn – where the grip is, how the little car moves around, and, apparently, how not to turn in about 10 miles too early for every corner!
Qualifying – Consistency Pays Off
Qualifying followed later in the afternoon, and this time it was just the C1s on track. Twelve minutes to get it right.
Every lap I did was in the 1:11s, which I was really happy with for a first attempt. On the final lap, once I found a bit of space, I managed a 1:11.310, putting me 7th on the grid out of 13.
For someone who’d never driven the car, never seen the circuit in person, and learned most of it through the sim – that result meant a lot.
Sunday – The Gutted Bit
And then… the part I didn’t expect.
On Sunday morning, the meeting was abandoned before we got to race.
No lights, no laps, no chance to fight for positions. Just an early end to what was supposed to be my one and only race weekend of the year.
I won’t lie – I was gutted. After all the travel, the build-up, and the excitement, it’s a real punch to the stomach to come away without actually getting to race. But that’s motorsport sometimes – unpredictable, humbling, and full of lessons.
What I’m Taking Away
Even without the races, I’m still proud.
I made it from a small island in the Hebrides to the Knockhill grid. I worked with a proper team. I proved to myself that I can be competitive in the real world, not just the virtual one.
Massive thanks to Minimax Motorsport and the Scottish Motor Racing Club for making it possible, and to everyone who’s followed the journey and sent messages of support. It genuinely means a lot.
This isn’t the ending I hoped for — but it’s definitely not the end of the story.
