Civic Cup Debut Race Report, A Rollercoaster of Emotions (and Grip Levels!)
Civic Cup Debut Race Report, A Rollercoaster of Emotions (and Grip Levels!)
Q – P5
R1 – P5 (Promoted to P4)
R2 – P6
It still feels surreal to be writing our very first Civic Cup race report, and before anything else HUGE thanks to our amazing sponsors, family, friends, and everyone who helped make this happen. Without you, we’d probably still be in the paddock trying to figure out why the car suddenly sounds like a spaceship. "Probably the kerbs"
Getting to the grid for this round felt like a full blown adventure somewhere between an intense escape room and a bad episode of a DIY car repair show. But we made it!
Qualifying, The Shopping Trolley Experience
Heading into qualifying, we hadn’t yet run fresh fronts, so we expected the car’s balance to be a bit… questionable. And oh boy, were we right! Imagine a shopping trolley with a wobbly wheel now throw it onto a race track at full speed. That was us.
Despite feeling like a budget pizza maker tossing dough every time I turned the wheel, we found ourselves sitting P3 before a red flag. Unfortunately, after the restart and a slight "oops" (missed gear) we improved but ended up P5 still solid, but definitely with some luck on our side!
Race 1,A Strategic No Man’s Land
We made some adjustments to dial in the car’s balance, but the big question was: Had we gripped it up too much?
Our first ever Civic Cup race start went well (we didn’t stall or get launched into orbit). We fired into Redgate, cautious of the car's balance, and quickly realized that while we were holding our own, the four cars ahead (all Area Motorsport teammates) where not close enough to challenge Meanwhile, P6 behind was keeping us honest.
After some careful race management and resisting the urge to send it into oblivion, we brought it home in P5 highest placed newcomer on debut! With a team 1,2,3,4,5 and A post race track limits penalty for a car ahead bumped us up to P4, which felt like finding an extra fry at the bottom of the bag, unexpected but absolutely delightful.
Race 2, The Three Wide Craner Curves Adventure
Reverse grid, starting P6 similar plan, keep it clean, stay consistent, and try not to be a hero too soon.
Got a decent launch, but heading into Redgate, I had to defend early. With my max defensive moves used up, I had to leave room, got my nose chopped, and next thing I knew, we were three wide into Craner Curves with teammates. No biggie,
At this point, I had a choice:
• Send it and risk creating a new, unwanted Civic shaped sculpture in the gravel.
• Play the long game and live to fight another lap.
I chose option two, which meant I lost a couple of spots initially but managed to fight back bit by bit. With a few great battles along the way, I eventually worked my way through and reeled in P5 and P6. On the final lap, I launched a move into Redgate, secured P6, Holding on through craner and old hairpin with the fuel surge for the last 3 laps we still made some time to P5 so tried one more attack into Coppice for but it wasn’t quite on.
So P6 it is and a first ever! 1,2,3,4,5,6 for the team, Another highest placed newcomer finish and a solid points haul for the debut weekend. we’ll take that!
What’s Next?
Time to prep for Brands Hatch, where we get to share the grid with british racing trucks so if you thought Craner Curves three wide was exciting, wait until we’re trying to squeeze 4 into paddock hill.
Massive Thanks To:
Our incredible sponsors:
• Europa Crash Centre Dronfield
• Jautos
The family, friends, and supporters who make all this worth doing.
The powerhouse team at Areamotorsport for keeping us running, sane, and competitive!
We’re getting stronger bit by bit