Dylan Hotchin is gearing up for his first campaign of single-seaters, not just as a driver, but a key component of his team too.
The Ford Fiesta graduate is a rarity in modern motorsport, being a true lad and dad operation with his father Richard, and as he describes, will be pulling the strings both in the car, and out of it too.
“To learn the feel of the car and the car setup, I will be one of the mechanics so I will also need to get to know the car!” he quipped.
“From a performance point of view, as a privateer team we are looking to just get finishes under our belt in the first instance. Then through the year, we hope to build on each round and hopefully put a package together for 2024 to go out and be at the front.
“Obviously as a driver I want to be up the front but I fully understand that we are competing against some big teams who have big budgets. For us we have a very small budget which is funded primarily by my family and so it is very important that I perform to the best of my ability every time I sit in the car.”
Opting for the privateer route means he’ll get a rounded experience of all aspects, and he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“The privateer route is for sure challenging but for me is the best way for me to show not only my driving skills but also my ability to mechanic and set up a single seater race car. In a team I would not have this option.
“Preparations have involved buying new equipment, designing a brand, building a small team and getting everything in place to at least look the part from the off.
“We have been overwhelmed by the media coverage and are very grateful for any attention as it helps us try and attracted some sponsorship. We are due to get the car this week and seat time is now the key to understanding the car and getting me up to speed.”
The privateer route means he’s also going to be providing some unique opportunities for aspiring mechanics and engineers to get involved with the squad.
“We have created a very unique opportunity for not only myself but for young apprentices from up and down the country.
“Our team consists of senior engineers from heavy industry with minimal car experience and then it is totally built up with apprentices from there on in. At each round we will give up to four apprentices the opportunity to sample the world of single-seater racing.
“In the first instance we have advertised on social media but we need to now get colleges and companies involved and are hoping some will come on board to supply their top performing apprentices but will also help us to fund the racing. It has been hard to get the message across and we are working on further media campaigns to get the right people involved.”
With plans in place, and a shakedown now completed, Hotchin is hoping to start major track testing soon.
“We hope to do our first test this week and then we have a busy March testing plan to try and get us up to speed. It is difficult for us to test all the time due to my work commitments as a control apprentice and our low budget. I am lucky enough that my employer is willing to support me with certain days off!
“Going forward into this year’s campaign we will not have had the seat time of others but I am sure I can master the car with in the first couple of meetings and get stuck in and have a few battles along the way.”
Hotchin initially has modest goals, but is hoping to increase his competitiveness as the season goes on.
“I want to finish as many races as we can, build on each round with our performances and learn the car in preparation for 2024. And if I can challenge and be in the top half of the grid along the way, we will be over the moon.
“Bring on the challenge, the privateer is incoming.”
