Maiden GP2 win for Cameron Fraser at Round 1 – Silverstone National
After a successful pre season test in both Spain and at the official BSB tests, I was feeling confident coming into the season. Free Practice 1 saw some nice conditions to start off the weekend. i managed to get straight down to the 57s and chipped away ending the session in 11th overall and 1st in the GP2 class. This confidence was then taken into Free Practice 2 with even nice conditions to continue working with the SC0 rear tyre. Again I got to a good pace straight away and we put a new rear tyre in for the last couple laps getting down to a 56.7 lap time, which was a new personal best for me. Feeling comfortable towards the end of the session we unfortunately encountered a slight technical problem which saw a slightly early end to the session. We still managed 12th overall and 1st in GP2s.
Saturday came quickly and before we knew it, it was qualifying. We set an early banker lap in of a 56.8 on an older tyre and then with the new rear tyre we got down to a 56.4 with a couple of hold ups. I battered away at the lap times eventually reaching a 56.3 which would see me position 2nd in GP2 and 14th overall ready for the sprint race later. For the race I felt calm and relaxed knowing I had good race pace, we managed to get away ok off the line and pick a few of the super sport bikes off catching Jack who was leading the GP2. I settled into a good rhythm assessing where I had pace testing the waters on a few laps passing Jack into turn 1. As we approached the end of the race I made my move on the final lap holding the position until the back straight where we both caught a back-marker at an unfortunate time. I left the room as I didn’t think we would be able to overtake, Jack went for the move and unfortunately clipped the rear causing him to go down. I just about managed to avoid any contact and brought home the victory! We came home 8th overall and 1st in GP2.
The result and time from Saturday’s race would see me start from 8th overall and 1st in GP2. We managed to get a good start dropping a couple of places on the opening lap but started to make some ground back up by the 3rd lap. Unfortunately I was clipped from behind under braking which caused myself and another idea to go down. Thankfully the bike wasn’t badly damaged and I was also unscathed. on the whole it was a really positive weekend, one to build on for the rest of the year. Even though we were taken out there was so much to come away with and it has me even more excited to get the rest of the year underway.
All of this could not have been achieved without the hard work from the team Go Racing Developments, my Mum & Dad who have supported me throughout my journey and everyone else who has continued to stand by me!