PMM ’s Kieran Nee spends the day at the races with Comline and one lucky reader…
No one picking up their monthly copy of PMM from their local factor does so expecting to be given the opportunity of a lifetime at the end of it. You may expect to read some in-depth technical coverage, learn about the latest advances in automotive technology or even discover a new, more profitable way of managing your business; and while we like to think that, when it comes to putting together an informative, easy-to-read, entertaining magazine for the independent aftermarket, we do a pretty good job (no letters telling us you disagree, please), making people’s dreams come true is somewhat beyond our remit. Until, that is, we teamed up with Comline…
Avid PMM reader Ash Singh did indeed find his dreams coming true last autumn, all thanks to PMM and Comline, who ran a competition in our September 2021 issue offering one lucky reader the chance to become a raceday mechanic. Fast forward to October, and we find ourselves down at Brands Hatch GB, busy getting Richardson Racing’s Will Bratt’s Porsche 911 GT3 ready for the Porsche Carrera Cup’s final race that weekend.
As Ash is taken through the safety drills and the protocols for the day, I ask Team Leader for the Porsche Carrera Cup programme at Richardson Racing, Richard Minarik what are some things that a technician used to working on ordinary passenger cars must take into account when working on a race car. “Actually,” he begins, “if anything, these cars are easier to work on, as they are just a simplified version of a passenger car. Anything unnecessary has been removed, in order to reduce the weight of the vehicle. The components involved are of a very high quality, but often they will be replaced after a very short time.”
One thing which is different from working in a standard workshop, is the speed at which everything must be done. Whilst there will certainly be times (most of the time, that is) when the pressure is on to get things finished up on time for a customer, it’s a different level of speed needed when you’re in the pit stop and need to change the four tyres in a matter of seconds. Perhaps, I ask Ash, it will all be a little too quick for him?
“Oh no,” Ash protests, “I love speed. In fact, you could say I have a need for speed. That’s why I entered this competition. I’ve always wanted to come along to the races but I’ve never had the chance as I’ve always been too busy working. But when I saw this opportunity with Comline, working on the cars themselves, I thought it was too good to pass up. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, really.”
However, as Ash explains, he does have some experience with this kind of work: “I do already own a Porsche 911, and now I work for a company called Performance Porsche in Brighouse, Leeds, which is like a dream job for me. I’ve been an auto technician my whole life, but I laid my tools down at the beginning of the pandemic to work in an office processing vehicle warranty claims. Needless to say, as soon as the opportunity presented itself to get back on the tools and work with Porsche’s all day I grabbed it with both hands.”
As the races got underway and the atmosphere in the paddock and in the pit stop filled with the noise and smells of the cars whizzing past, Ash got stuck in with the team, waving in Will for his tyre changes. “I would genuinely have liked to do this as a career,” Ash confesses, “but it’s a young man’s game, that’s for sure. Besides, if I was to spend this many weekends away from home there would be murder at home!”
Q&A with Comline’s Leigh Davies
Why did you choose to sponsor Will this year?
When we were approached by Will Bratt and Richardson Racing, we were immediately impressed by their professionalism and enthusiasm – we were very quickly made to feel like part of the team. Richardson Racing is a team that’s enjoyed plenty of success throughout its history with podiums, race victories and even championship wins, but it’s still a team that very much feels like it’s on an upward trajectory.
Will is a multiple race winner, in different formulas, so that winning combination appealed to us.
Is it important for parts brands to be recognisable among technicians?
Massively important! Technicians have to trust a brand and, aside from product performance and ease of fitment, a large portion of that trust comes from familiarity. I think unknown brands are more likely to be met with scepticism and may not be given the opportunity to prove themselves.
How has it been working with the team?
The Comline relationship with both driver and team has grown stronger as the year has progressed.
Everyone has played their part in making us feel welcome, part of the team, and has supported our goal of driving the brand into the public eye. Furthermore, extending our involvement with Richardson Racing by having the Comline brand across all three of its Porsche race cars was a wonderful way to round out the season.
Will is an accessible and personable character, who put our people and customers instantly at ease throughout the season. He would be the first to admit that he’d like to have done better on track, but as our agreement came together so close to start of the season, there was limited opportunity for the testing that plays such a big part in motorsport success.
How has the competition been for Comline? Is it something that you would like to repeat?
It’s always a pleasure and privilege to showcase the unmistakable yellow and blue livery of Comline, especially while rewarding the hard-working mechanics that are fitting our products on a daily basis – the mechanic is the lifeblood of our industry!
The competition itself was well-received – we welcomed lots of entries and engagement – and our winner, Ash Singh, made the best of this opportunity by bringing his son Nick along to share the experience.
