Jason Smyth, the standout driver in national-level Formula Ford competition this year, got behind the wheel of a Douglas Motorsport GB4 car at Silverstone on Wednesday, for his first taste of slicks and wings machinery.
The 19-year-old, who won the iconic Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy events within the space of just a few days earlier this month, was also the driver to beat in this year’s United Formula Ford Championship.
Having proved his class at grassroots level, and matching his father Neville’s achievement at the Formula Ford Festival, the Douglas GB4 test was an opportunity to sample the next step up the ladder, and the Irish racer was comfortable almost immediately in his new surroundings.
“It felt natural to be honest,” he commented. “I felt right at home straight away in the car and was just getting used to the grip difference [compared] to the Formula Ford, but apart from that I really felt comfortable in the car.”
Having quickly got to grips with the team’s Tatuus MSV GB4-025 machine, Smyth was able to demonstrate his pace around the British Grand Prix venue.
“I was the pace setter after doing only 21 laps in the wet and 16 laps in the dry, and after left foot braking for the first time while using a paddle shifter, which I think is a pretty good first day!” he beamed.
“The biggest challenge to adapting to slick tyres and the aero was just trusting the car through the high speed corners and having the belief that the car will keep planted to the road.”
Smyth’s chance has only arisen in recent days, after being catapulted to the forefront of team owner Wayne Douglas’ attentions following his recent triumphs. Those included one of the all-time great Formula Ford performances at the Walter Hayes, where he blasted through the pack to victory in the final.
“The opportunity came about after winning the prestigious trophies at the Formula Ford Festival and the Walter Hayes. I think I showed my pace at the Festival and then my race craft at the Walter Hayes going from 13th to first.
“I just can’t thank Douglas Motorsport enough especially Wayne and Gemma [Stevenson] for giving me this opportunity.
“I was made to feel at home straight away and was great to see some familiar faces in the team as well which made my experience even better. I found that the team was very professional in all aspects; preparation before the test with sim work, and then with data and video analysis.”
He’s now crossing his fingers for another go in the near future.
“I would love to have another opportunity in the car to feel what it is like on other tracks, so we will see what happens in the future.”
As for Douglas, the eponymous team owner has been a keen promotor of talent from the island of Ireland from where he’s also from, and he was only too happy to help another driver with plenty of long-standing history.
“I have known the Smyth family since Jason’s grandfather raced Minis with my father,” Douglas reminisced.
“Jason’s short career has been outstanding, topped off by being the only father and son combination to have ever both won the Formula Ford Festival, and to then follow that up by winning the Walter Hayes is impressive.
“Having given his good friend Alex Dunne a first run in a car, I thought it was only right to do the same with Jason and try to help him further his career in the coming years.”
