A Lap With Rob Collard
When I was asked if I would like to be driven by Rob Collard for a series of laps in his specially adapted two seater EbayMotors BMW 320si there was only ever going to be one answer.
Having been a BTCC fan for a number of years, the opportunity to get inside one of these tin tops was a dream come true.
Whether you watch on ITV4 or from the grandstands each race weekend, nothing compares to actually sitting inside one of these machines. After bring strapped in – a little too tightly for my liking- we set off for three unforgettable laps around the Bedford Autodrome circuit.
The first thing that hits you is the noise of the two-litre normally aspirated engine that reverberates around the car. The vibrations come through the bottom of your seat and even on the ‘warm-up’ lap the forces you are subjected to are very surprising.
As Rob launched into a fast lap, it struck me how busy he was, and how effortlessly he made it look. We steamed into turn one, a tight hairpin, and in my opinion he braked a whole post code later than I thought was possible. As he shifted down through the gears I believed we were heading straight for Bedford town centre! Rob made the corner with ease, and we swiftly moved onto a flat out left kink, followed by a near flat out chicane and another flat right hand kink – much to my amazement.
The car was dancing. There was no big movements on the wheel, just little corrections, even in a straight line as he accelerate from the corners. Just little subtle movements meant the car could smoothly, and quickly, pull through the gears.
Towards the end of the lap we entered the long back straight and Rob really pushed the BMW through the gears, hitting nearly 200kph (118mph) towards the end before another quick left-right chicane.
I have an ever growing respect for drivers, not only for their bravery but for their physical condition. To hold myself upright and not be thrown around the inside of the BMW I had to take a deep breath and hold it for a majority of the lap, and all I was doing was sitting still!
It was amazing to be this close to a driver as he pushes his machinery the limit. A perspective that onboard cameras tend to miss. The smell and sound of the rubber crying for mercy and the sensation of speed is something you don’t really get unless you have driven – or have been lucky enough be driven – in one of these cars.
I was keenly watching his feet in the slower corners. They were a blur as they switched from pedal to pedal to keep the car balanced through the corner.
After the laps we sat down for lunch and an interesting conversation broke out about left foot braking. A few passengers had noticed he used his left foot to dab the break in the faster corners, yet in the slower corners he used his right.
‘Some people find it easier to brake left footed,’ explained Rob. ‘It’s all about the feel. In a go-kart you’re forced to use your left foot and you think nothing of it, yet if you are in your road car and you brake left footed its not as smooth as your right.‘
Everyone who stepped out of the West Surrey Racing-run BWM after their hot laps all said the same thing. Some looked a little paler then before, but the overriding emotion was of disbelief that anyone could push a car to its limit.
I’d like to thank EbayMotors, West Surrey Racing and Rob Collard for the opportunity of a lifetime.
Mike Trusler
