I’m really excited to announce a new column with Auto Action to talk in detail about our international racing schedule. Make sure you head over to http://autoaction.com.au for more.
AUSSIE RACING driver Liam Talbot has big plans for 2016. So much so you’d be encouraged to buy some shares in the many airlines as he’ll be racking up plenty of frequent flier points with his 2016 schedule.
In his debut column for Auto Action, the Queensland-based driver writes about how he went from club level motorsport to the Blancpain Endurance Series with Kessel Racing in a Ferrari 458 in a few short years.
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My name is Liam Talbot and as a proud Aussie racing abroad I would like to take this time to introduce myself.
Having started my motor racing career late in life, 2016 will mark only my fourth year in motorsport and my second full year in Europe. Unlike most of the AA readers, I never followed motorsport prior to hitting the track for the first time those few short years ago.
I guess for myself, personally, motorsport seemed unattainable prior to taking the plunge. I’m not someone that does something just to make up the numbers and the thought of competing with any significance was beyond my comprehension initially and something that I thought would be far beyond my reach.
My journey to a racetrack began as simply a duty of care to myself. I wanted to learn how to control a car in a safe environment with professional instruction. As guys we tend to be guilty of thinking we’re good drivers from the outset but I felt there was far more to it and wanted to improve and to learn from someone with that experience. This was a pivotal decision and one that changed the direction of my life. I’ve learnt so much in such a short amount of time not just about racing but about the business as a whole, and it’s all because of working alongside some really great people who have helped fast track the learning process for me.
It all started in a very humble environment, driving a club level car to get my racing licence at age 30. I didn’t set the world on fire and I was ready to sack myself even though I continued to improve in those first few races. I set myself a goal of doing the Bathurst 12 hour and one race at the Nurburgring, totally crazy I know, but you need direction in life.
One thing led to another and a few opportunities arose along the way; the real turning point for me was when I decided to do a race weekend in a Radical SR3 having only five races worth of experience under my belt. These are such a serious race car especially for someone on a steep learning curve. They generate a fantastic amount of downforce while still teaching some great car control lessons having no ABS or traction control. That first weekend I experienced what it was like to be sideways at 180km/hr and then 230 km/hr at Phillip Island and from then I was hooked!
Fast forward to the present day and I’m on my way to Italy to participate in my second full season of the Blancpain Endurance Championship. I tasted some success in the championship last year finishing third overall in our class driving the Kessel Ferrari. I’m look forward to pushing both myself and my team even further in 2016 and hopefully getting my hands on that big trophy at season’s end.
I’m excited that I’m going to be able to share this unbelievable journey with you all and I look forward to keeping you updated on my progress throughout the year.
Dream big and challenge yourself!
Liam
Original article: http://autoaction.com.au/introducing-liam-talbot/