Round 5: Las Vegas, and Brakes that Worked Too Well

“We had to skip Round 4. After all the valvetrain failures, the budget for a new motor wasn’t there in time, so we regrouped and put everything into being ready for the season finale in Las Vegas on October 17.

“The all-new 6.3L high-compression motor fought us on tune up before qualifying, which put us in a death match just to get into the Top 32. In that battle, I made contact with the back of the lead car in a section where I expected them to stay on throttle. That probably didn’t help with making over 800whp now.

“Vegas gave us a problem most drivers would love to have: the front brakes were working too well. With that much bite from the Bluestuff pads, the front tires were the limit, not the brakes. We had to add more front grip to the car to keep up with them.

“That’s a good place to end a development year. When you’re tuning the chassis to match your brakes, you know the brakes aren’t the weak link.â€�

Same Pads, All Season

“That kind of peace of mind is something most drifters take for granted, and with our crazy season, we sure did. It wasn’t until we sat down to list what went well this year that we noticed ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ was first on the list. Zero issues, and we checked the pads at every event. We ran the same pads all year on all four corners. In the past, we needed new pads halfway through a season, especially in the rear.â€�

Looking Ahead to 2027

“I’m working to come back to Hotpit in 2027, with a list of things to refine and polish this off-season. We know we have the program and the car, so we don’t plan to change much on it.

“What I need now is seat time and to get my mind right behind the wheel. Right now, building, maintenance, logistics, and driving all sit on my shoulders. Balancing those better is the biggest upgrade I can make for next year.

“One thing that isn’t changing is the brakes. We’ll run the same ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ setup in 2027: Bluestuff pads with GD Sport rotors at all four corners. We love the light weight, the feedback, and the feel. From a program standpoint, it’s a win too. One rotor fits both the front and the rear, which means a smaller spares bin to haul to every event.

“A huge thank-you to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ for standing behind Mulletsport again this year. We’ve been working together for several years, and ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has given us a great foundation to build on. When the engine and transmission kept letting us down, the brakes never did. That’s exactly what you want from a partner.â€�

Photo Credits: David Kerny, Colin Lake, Sam Toutenburg

“Unlimited four-wheel drive racing is a tough battleground, and Ultra 4 provides the best there is. King of Britain has been on a four-year sabbatical and it was a Cannonball Rally moment when dates were launched earlier this year, with crews desperately trying to get a place to this prestigious event. An event that Jim and the Crew at Gigglepin have won a previous three times, winning King of Britain 2021.

“But there was a problem the car they are racing often shows moments of brilliance followed by tragic failure. Could the team turn it round and get to the finish line and win a fourth King of Britain title? Amazing car, but can it finish?

“After mechanical issues at the first three rounds of the 2026 Ultra 4 European Championship, the team were determined to make amends. The car has tremendous potential, but always something spoils the party after promising starts. So, after many late nights, new ideas, new components installed and lots of testing, she was loaded and ready to make the four-hour journey North to West Yorkshire and the 2026 King of Britain.”

“I’m delighted to report that the weekend produced two race victories and a second-place finish, making it one of my strongest results of the season so far. While there is always room to improve, these results are a testament to the preparation, teamwork and the confidence that comes from having such fantastic partners behind me.”

“The Caterham 420R performed faultlessly throughout the weekend, allowing us to focus on extracting the maximum performance in every session. We also gathered valuable data that will help us continue developing the car as we look ahead to the remainder of the season being a credible 5 points ahead in the British Championship lead.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ for supplying products that continue to give me complete confidence under braking. Knowing I can rely on consistent braking performance lap after lap allows me to attack every corner with confidence.”

“We’re now fully focused on the next round at Anglesey on 18th–19th July, where we’ll be aiming to build on this momentum and continue delivering results that count.�

“Round 3 of the Armed Forces Race Challenge brought a different format, with a single 45-minute race featuring a mandatory pit stop.

“Having never driven the circuit outside of the simulator, qualifying was always going to be a learning experience. Unfortunately, the session was heavily disrupted by incidents, resulting in multiple yellow flags and a red flag, limiting us to just two genuine flying laps. Despite this, we secured P6 overall and P1 in class with a 2:19 lap time. Both the car and I had more pace to find, but given the circumstances, it was a solid result.”

“The race got off to a great start. A strong launch allowed us to move from P6 to P4, passing two cars before Turn 1 before making another move on the guest Caterham to take P3 heading into the second hairpin.

“We settled comfortably into third place and were showing strong race pace before technical issues began to emerge. A low coolant warning appeared, with temperatures gradually increasing. Initially, this reduced engine boost, causing us to lose ground, before eventually removing boost entirely.

“From that point, the focus shifted from fighting for positions to managing the car and ensuring we reached the chequered flag without causing further damage. While several other Class B competitors also encountered issues and retired, allowing us to finish P1 in class, it was disappointing to lose what had been shaping up to be a very competitive result.”

“The positive takeaway is that the car clearly has the pace to run at the front, and the root cause of the issue has now been identified. We can address it, move forward, and come back stronger for the next round.

“Another major positive from the weekend was the performance of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ braking package. The combination of the RP-X front pads, Bluestuff rear pads and ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ discs performed flawlessly throughout the event. Even under repeated heavy braking for the duration of the 45-min race, there was no sign of fade, and pedal feel remained consistent from start to finish. That level of confidence allowed me to progressively push my braking points later as the day went on, knowing the brakes would deliver the same performance lap after lap, the T51 Racing bespoke brake cooling kit also played it part and helped to keep the whole system temps down throughout.”

“A huge thank-you to everyone who came along to support, help prepare the car, and make the weekend possible. There were a few challenges leading up to the event, and at times it looked like we might not make the grid, but thanks to the efforts of those around me, we got there.

“Finally, a massive thank you to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, Karlyone Care Ltd, and the Army Sports Car Racing team for their continued support throughout the season. Your backing is greatly appreciated, and we’re looking forward to coming back fighting at Brands Hatch in August.â€�

“This weekend, we attended Rounds 1 and 2 of the Armed Forces Race Challenge at Silverstone National Circuit.

“Making the results even more special, this marked the very first race weekend for the car and myself, making it a huge milestone after 18 months of work preparing the car myself to get it race ready.”

“The weekend proved challenging from the outset, with intermittent boost issues that unfortunately remained unresolved throughout both races. Despite the setbacks, we kept pushing and were able to bring the car home in both races, securing a strong P3 in class during Race 1 and improving to P2 in class in Race 2.

“A huge positive from the weekend was the performance of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ package. The RP-X pads paired with the Bluestuff pads and discs performed flawlessly throughout the weekend, delivering consistent stopping power with zero brake fade and remaining sharp and reliable across both races.”

“Massive thanks to the Army Sports Car Racing Team, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, and KARLYONE CARE LTD for all of their continued support throughout the weekend. Your backing makes it possible for us to keep pushing forward, even during difficult race weekends.

“We’ll regroup, resolve the boost issues, and come back stronger for the next round at Snetterton 300 on the 20th of June.�

Qualifying

“An early start for qualifying at 08:30 at a wet Oulton Park. 28 cars on the grid and a respectable 17^th on the grid for race one, which considering the classes of the cars on the grid was a great achievement. Lots of others complained of little to no grip on the circuit but I never found it an issue during the session and had total confidence in the car.�

Race One

“With a pack of higher-class cars behind me, keeping my place in the middle of the pack was always going to be challenge and although off the start a couple of places were lost, as the race evolved and progressed, places were taken back and good clean racing was had by all on circuit. The car was faultless and the brakes remain a key part in being able to brake later than others, giving me an advantage heading into heavy braking zones on the international circuit. Maximum points and a class win were secured and leading to a good place on the grid for race two and its typically unpredictable April weather.�

Race Two

“Tyre choice was key for race two, with torrential rain followed by warm spells of sunshine and the choice of tyres was left until the last second in the hope of gaining an advantage in the race. I opted for an intermediate tyre and it paid off; turn one was tricky at the start and caution was applied through the next couple of laps with cars on the wet choice of tyres making the most of the conditions whilst they could.

“However, a dry line appeared fairly quickly with just a few wet and damp sections remaining, especially in the braking zones at Cascades and Lodge.

“Pace-wise – considering the tyre choice and conditions – was good again, with a further advantage in key braking zones and happy to report a further class win and a maximum points haul for the weekend.

“The conditions were tough and challenging and yet again, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Racing came through the test giving me confidence throughout.â€�

“What a weekend of contrasts at Silverstone. From the frustration of a last-lap mechanical failure whilst running strongly in Race 1, to fighting through the entire field in treacherous wet conditions to take Race 2 victory — including the fastest lap of the race. A weekend that truly tested every aspect of our package, and one I am incredibly proud of.�

Qualifying – 6^th

“A solid start to the weekend, securing P6 overall and placing us firmly within contention for the race ahead. The lap gave us strong confidence in the car’s balance heading into Race 1.â€�

Race 1 – DNF

“Race 1 was a genuine disappointment, though not without significant positives. From sixth on the grid, we quickly moved to the front and led the race for over half the distance — demonstrating real pace and racecraft. A potential podium, and possibly P2, was very much within our grasp. Heartbreakingly, a mechanical failure on the final lap brought our race to a premature end. The pace shown throughout was hugely encouraging and the team’s work all weekend was commendable.â€�

Race 2 – P1 Victory + Fastest Lap

“Race 2 will be one to remember. Starting from the back of the 420R grid on a fully saturated track, and running on tyres I had never used in wet conditions before, the challenge was clear. Rather than letting the uncertainty affect our approach, we stayed focused, built a strong rhythm from the opening laps, and began working our way methodically through the field. The wet conditions demanded complete concentration, and the car responded superbly. We overtook competitor after competitor, ultimately crossing the line in first place — with the fastest lap of the race to our name. A hard-fought, fully deserved victory.�

Looking Ahead

“This weekend has given us great momentum. The speed is clearly there, and so is the ability to perform under pressure in difficult conditions. We will review the Race 1 mechanical failure thoroughly to ensure it cannot be repeated, and we head to the next round with confidence and determination.

“A huge and heartfelt thank you to every one of our sponsors — your continued support is what makes weekends like this possible. We are proud to represent you on track and look forward to doing so again at Snetterton.�

“The first run was conservative. The second… not so much. An overly aggressive entry led to a rough introduction with the wall on the bank.

“Luckily, we had an hour break before the next two-hour practice session. The team tore apart the damaged rear end and zip-tied the car back together just to get me back out there.

“After watching the other drivers run, I made some changes: lower tire pressure, dumped the shocks, and cranked up the boost. Next lap, I felt comfortable in the car. Practice turned into a learning session—timing, references, and figuring out the line. I struggled to put together a clean lap, but I still felt confident going into qualifying with a conservative approach.

“Fresh tires warmed up. Time to go. Starting in second gear proved to be the fastest run-up to the bank during practice. I launched the car, rolled into full throttle, shifted into third—POP. Already committed to the entry, I grabbed a quick handbrake to angle the car into OZ1. That sucked the car straight into the wall. Hit one.

“With zero boost, I stood on the throttle expecting the car to drive away from the wall. Instead, it floated hard back into it—breaking a wheel and rear knuckle. What I didn’t realize at the time—and live on YouTube—I attempted to salvage the run.

“Embarrassed and frustrated, I parked the car in the pits, assuming our weekend was over. That thought apparently never crossed my team’s minds. They ripped off the damaged ECS Tuning wheel and disassembled the right rear suspension down to the subframe. Turns out a bushing took the brunt of the impact and simply ejected itself. Amazingly, the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ brakes were one of the only things completely undamaged.

“With some Liqui Moly high-strength thread locker, a lot of hammering, clamps, and zip ties… We had a car again.

“Qualifying wrapped up with several cars not making the show. Unfortunately, we ended up 31st qualifier in a 31-car field.

“My mindset completely reset during the autograph session. The fans were beyond excited to meet the drivers of these crazy cars. They didn’t care about the qualifying order—they were just pumped to be there.”

“I carried that energy straight into Top 32. Facing the #3 qualifier, I knew it was time to step up. Fresh tires, my normal warm-up routine, and I pulled to the line.

“Immediately, something felt off. The tires unloaded and I watched the lead driver pull away. Calm and collected, I stayed behind him, knowing I could close the gap on the bank.

“I eased into the entry, set the car, and rolled into the throttle to catch up. Then the car snapped around like I’d hit a banana in Mario Kart. The weight of the entire weekend hitting me all at once, I failed. 

“My wife and spotter Hailz came over the radio: “Just focus on this lap. You got this. Just drive.� That’s when it clicked. The temperature had dropped massively and the tires simply weren’t warm enough. At this level of competition, everything matters. With a turbo V8 powerplant, fixing that was easy. I stood on the throttle and did a rolling burnout back to the line. 

“Pulling to the line in the lead run, everything went quiet. Just another lap. A light flick into OZ1, let the car settle, then hammer down. This time, the car hooked up perfectly and I was along for the ride. Flat-footed, the car followed every input and I laid down our best run of the weekend.

“When I pulled off track, it hit me: this was Round 1 of many to come. I gave everyone on the team a big hug and thanked them individually and as a group. We learned a ton!

“I may have years of drifting experience and a few seasons in FD, but this was the first professional-level competition event for everyone on my team. They won the weekend.

“I’m incredibly excited for Round 2. No major changes planned—just repairs, prep, and getting ready for the next competition. We have slush coming up next weekend and a few local events to get my driving polished up and ready for a strong showing at round 2.�

“A really positive and productive shakedown at Donington Park’s National Circuit for the car’s first outing, with lots of positive feedback from coaches and passengers that came out in the car.

“The car performed exceptionally well straight out of the box for its first outing, with only a couple of small niggles that were quickly identified and are easily resolved ahead of the next outing. Overall, balance and confidence in the car is very high, and it’s clear we’ve got a strong platform to build on.”

“Grip levels were outstanding throughout the day, allowing us to push harder with each session and really start to explore the car’s potential.

“A big highlight was the braking performance. The new ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ setup, running a combination of RP-X and Bluestuff pads, was absolutely faultless. Consistent, confidence-inspiring, and strong under all conditions, I am yet to actually reach the limit of the brake setup; they performed perfectly all day and are a massive step forward for the car, I am currently adding a brake cooling setup to help keep performance at its optimal level for the races.

“I am now tweaking the couple of bits that needed attention and giving the car a once over ready for the first race of the season at Silverstone in May.”

The 750 Motor Club Armed Forces Race Challenge (AFRC) was developed to bring together four-wheeled motor racers from all across the Armed Forces. The challenge allows a level playing field of competition irrespective of car performance by rewarding consistency during races, so the focus remains on the driver rather than the machinery. Find out more by .

“Wanted to send a quick update on the Drift Across the World project.

“The Australian leg is complete and I am currently in Malaysia, about to cross the border into Thailand. Which is crazy to think I am in Southeast Asia! 

“The project has also generated over 200,000 followers and 20 million views on social media and continues to grow, while raising over $4,000 for much needed funds for Make-A-Wish International.”