| |
|
Welcome
to GavinSeager.com.
|
Gavin looks forward to meeting race fans throughout the new
season. |
|
| |
|
UPDATE:
Rockingham 18th/19th April 2009
Results
Qualifying
This
was always going to be different what with people running
ballast and mostly all on the new gaz shocks.
We started well and the car felt good but it wasn't giving
me the times I wanted to see no matter how hard I pushed
I couldn't seem to break the top 7.
So we came to pit lane and we made a few changes to the
truck for qualiy 2 and tried again. We went a little faster
but still no where near a race winning speed.
We ended quali 7th and 9th.
Race
1
After
a few more changes and a chat with dale we decided to take
it easy for the first 20 laps and then try to pick a few
off and finish strong. A relatively steady start by all
saw a clean getaway and everyone in one piece. On lap 20
we had just moved into the lead when the caution came out.
This ran for 6 laps while my team mates car was recovered
from the turn 4 wall - Carl had unfortunately had the air
took off his rear end causing the car to spin something
quite common in truck racing.
When we went green we had a ten lap dash but my car had
lost all tyre temp and just didn't feel the same it was
all I could do to finish 5th.
Race
2
We
started this race on the front row as a result of the reverse
top ten qualifying times. Michael Smith, race winner from
Brands, was on the pole. We had made a few radical changes
to the car and decided that if I could break away into the
lead I would press on rather than take it easy and see what
happened.
This plan worked well and for 15 laps was un troubled from
behind - then Pete Stevens took up the running but I couldn't
follow him for long as my car was starting to understeer. In
the mean time, Phill White, who is having a superb season,
was soon onto us and pushing for the lead - it was a three
way battle between us. Phill tried for the lead up the inside
but we held him low with me on the outside for 5 laps making
for some good clean racing. With 3 laps to go, Phill took
the lead but suddenly slowed - we passed him high and pulled
4 car lengths on second and the rest was history. We brought
the GSport 54 home for its first win of 2009 - GSport's
second of the season...
Cheers
- Gav
|
UPDATE:
Brands 28th/29th March 2009
Results/Pictures:
Qualifying
| Race
1 | Race
2 | Pictures
| RESULTS
Update
from Gavin:
What
with the new team and new rules, we didn't know what to
expect... we learnt a lot from the experience and will take
this forward into the season. It was great to get a first
team win on the first weekend and we're all looking forward
to getting our teeth into the rest of the season!
Qualifying
was good even with the wet weather and, rather than play
the system, we went for a fast time which meant starting
10th and 7th in the races.
Race
1:
The
weather was nice the sun was shining and sure to provide
some close racing. With the new rules in place meant all
drivers starting in front of me were capable of winning
the race.
The
first few laps saw a lot of close racing; in front I could
see a few battles but Michael Smith was first into the lead.
I made up a few places, passing Dawkins and Grindrod, then
it all seemed to calm down.
I
had a good battle with Phill White which lasted most the
race then the car started under steering making it even
harder to pass; I decided the safest bet was to stick with
4th.
Race
2:
Starting
a bit further up the grid meant maybe it would be a bit
easier for me.
Apparently
not! We had Steve Dance (a former champion) with race 1
winner Michael Smith and also Simon Carr (GSport). The race
started and simon was off leaving everyone else the battle
for places - I got up to 4th quick then dropped a few places
as under high revs the gear box would lock making it impossible
to get 2nd this was frustrating. So I had to alter where
I changed to ensue I hit the gear.
I
then set about passing KJW which I did down the home straight
and into paddock hill bend. Phill was next who I must say
has got to be the hardest man in pickups to pass, I tried
everything and in the end got him under braking into Druids.
Once we were past Phill, I set about 2nd place Dance who
was some 3 seconds away but with only 4 laps to go this
wasn't gonna happen.
Simon
in the Line-x truck took the checker with Dancey 2nd and
me 3rd...
UPDATE:
Brands 28th/29th March 2009 Programme Online
|
UPDATE
FROM GAV:
26th
March 2009
Having completed our final pre-season
test at Snetterton two weeks ago, we now look forward to
the season opener at Brands this weekend...
The
season should be much more exiting this year (for spectators
and participants alike) due to the new rule changes for
09, the biggest of which will be the new qualifying format
and success ballast rules.
Qualifying
in the past has generally been a routine exercise based
mainly on driver familiarisation and set up with times not
contributing to any grid positions - these being previously
arranged in reverse championship order. This year, although
the qualifying session is still one event, it will be split
into 2 halves with times achieved in the first half contributing
to grid for race 1 and times in the second half contributing
to grid for race 2. To make the session even more interesting,
the 10 fastest drivers will start in reverse grid order
meaning he who has achieved 10th quickest will start in
pole and so on. The remainder of the cars will grid up as
reflected in their qualifying times with the fastest being
in 11th position.
In
respect of the new success ballast rule - ballast will be
applied to the top three finishers at 30kg for the winner,
20kg 2nd and 10kg 3rd. This rule will be applied from race
1. Success ballast will only be taken away should a driver
finish outside the top three and, that being the case, it
can only be reduced at the rate of 10kg per occasion.
This
all makes for an exiting season which I am looking forward
to… hopefully the team can rise to the challenge in what
is likely to be a constant battle with set up to counteract
the continuing variants in ballast.
I
look forward to seeing as many of you as possible that have
the time to come over to the paddock; all will be welcome...
|
UPDATE
FROM GAV:
3rd
March 2009
Pleased
to announce confirmation of the Silverstone rounds 5 and
6 on 16th and 17th May and also the addition of Donington
which will now host rounds 13/14 and 15 all of which will
all become championship points scoring rounds.
As
far as my prospects for 09 are concerned this gives a real
boost to the team as it will increase my percentage chances
of having another crack at the title, there now being 23
rounds as opposed to the originally planned 20. No doubt
you will all recall the fact I am missing rounds 11 and
12 due to wedding plans which would mean effectively starting
the season 400 points down on the rest of the field.
It
is a big bonus that we will be at Donington with the big
Delphi trucks who always attract a large crowd and with
the event being the last before Donington is re-developed
should be a great time for all.
**DATES**
|
UPDATE FROM GAV:
BRANDS
TEST 12th Feb 2009:
I
had been
looking forward to this for some time now, in particular
the prospect of trying out a few different tweaks to the
set up we had last year.
Little were
we to know what a dreadful day it was to be!
I
was late arriving at the track, which turned out not too
bad as our first session had been knocked back an hour or
so due to the frost. The new team members were raring to
go and we were soon down the pit lane doing exploratory
laps to ensure everything on the vehicle was tight.
After
a session shaking down the vehicle the next session was
to try and see if we could match times from last year albeit
on used tyres with slight changes to the setup. Although
times were good we were still away from where we needed
to be but track and air temp considered, we were happy.
The best
session was always going to be just after lunch...
Disaster
struck about 6 laps into the afternoon session when tracking
Mark Jones coming out of Graham Hill;
I felt something happen with the steering which would not
respond. Seconds
later, we hit the barrier in the worst possible place (where
the emergency vehicles enter on to the track) resulting
in a virtually full 'head on' at over 60 mph!!!
Anywhere
else on the back straight this would have been a glancing
blow... Just
my luck - with
only 6 weeks to the season opener,
still at least I was ok even if the car was severly damaged.
High
point of the day was the new team working well together
and some very respectable times from Mark and Simon for
whom I am still predicting several podiums and race wins
this season.
Further
up dates to come before season opener - so watch this space.
|
TEAM
MEMBER WANTED:
Enthusiastic
motorsport orientated mechanic required to help with race
car prep and maintenance for race weekends during 2009
Fully qualified not essential but must be level headed and
able to work as part of a team, expenses would be covered.
Please apply in the first instance to Alan Seager on 07730309670
or e-mail alan.seager@GSportracing.com
|
3rd
Dec 2008 - UPDATE FROM GAV:
I
am really pleased to confirm my earlier report regarding
Mark Jones' return to the series; we're really looking forward
to having him on board in the new team.
We
have a very early start to 09, with our first test session
planned for Brands either on the 29 Jan or 12 February and
further testing planned in mid-March at Oulton and Croft;
not looking forward to it but guess it must be par for the
course if we are to repeat the successes of last year.
Things
seem to be picking up speed with dad's and Poodle's idea
of a team re birth - following an ad in Autosport the response
has been really good and my dad has sent out at least six
quotations to potential drivers one of which was Mark, now
signed. I am also led to believe negotiations are at an
addvanced stage with another driver.
The
hope is that some of our success will rub off on others,
which can only help to enhance both the series and the new
team's reputation. I am also led to believe, from sources
closely connected to the series co-ordinator, that there
has been firm interest from other independent owner drivers.
All in all, 09 is looking very strong in terms of driver
participation which should see us at least back to 07 levels
in terms of grid numbers; no mean achievment in the current
economic climate!
As
far as my own campaign goes, it seems I planned the wrong
weekend for my wedding to Hollie with the date now confirmed
as clashing with the Rockingham Oval meet. Unfortunately,
it is a major blow in terms of retaining our overall championship
title (Oval/Circuit Combined), however the circuit title
is well within our grasp and you can rest assured all the
stops will be pulled out to try and make it happen, not
withstanding the fact that if what my dad says happens,
two of the challengers for that could well come from within
my own team!!
That's
it for now - catch my further updates over the coming weeks...
Gav
|
STOP PRESS! 27th Nov 2008
Gavin
is pleased to announce that Mark Jones will be will be joining
the driver line-up for the 2009 season.
Mark
will be racing the team's second truck and will compete
in all ten rounds that make up the Circuit Championship.
He comes with a wealth of experience having raced in the
formula before and has since gained valuable track knowledge
from racing in various other formulas.
Mark
is a welcome addition to the series and those at GSport Racing
are certain he will make an impact amongst the regular front
runners.
Details
of a full program of testing for 2009 will be released soon
on this web-site and at www.gsportracing.com;
we expect to have both team trucks and drivers participating
ahead of the opening round at Brands on March 28/29th.
PRESS
RELEASE 26th Nov 2008
"Following
the phenomenal success of the 2008 season, a new team has
evolved: 'GSport Racing'
Building
on the experience and expertise of 'Team Seager', GSport
Racing will have the capacity for an additional two to three
drivers next season and, with the strong interest already
shown, will be announcing new driver details in the coming
weeks. Check here and at www.gsportracing.com
for news...
|
|
| |
|
16 November - Awards
and 2009 Dates
The annual Pickup Truck Racing awards night took
place on Saturday (15th) and Gavin collected the overall,
Rockingham and road race trophies.
The provisional
dates for the 2009 season were also released enabling teams
to start on their preparations for the next campaign.
Two notable events are the return of Croft and
Oulton to the calendar the latter of which will provide a challenge
for Crew chief Craig due to lack of meaningful data available
having not raced there since 2004. The dates are set to follow
this year's successful format with the season opening and closing
at the world famous Brands Hatch circuit in Kent where we join
the Delphi Trucks, we also join them at Thruxton and Pembrey.
There will again be the Oval championship to consider with 4 rounds
at Rockingham, although one of these (July 18/19) will fall whilst
Gavin is on honeymoon which will put the Oval championship beyond
his reach, nevertheless an exiting year's racing ahead which we
all look forward to.
|
|
|
02 November - Gavin
Does it Again
Few would have predicted that Gavin would be able
to add to his incredible race tally this season but he underlined
his already claimed Championship title with a further two race
victories at Brands Hatch today. As is the norm at Brands Hatch
there was a huge crowd to watch our racing. Gavin took a very
close last gasp win in the first race beating Steve Dance by 8/1000ths
of a second. The second race win was more straightforward, this
time though it was Pete Stevens who claimed second with Steve
Dance third. Diary online now!
|
|
|
13 October - Gav is
Overall Champion
Two more race wins for Gav at Pembrey this weekend
has seen him clinch the championship for the third time. Full
report and diary online.
|
 |
|
29 September - Gav
is Rockingham Champion
Although Gavin has won the overall Pickup Truck
Racing Championship twice before in his career the one ommission
from his CV was the Super Speedway title. That gap was filled
as he won both races at the Rockingham oval over the weekend.
Just as important is the overall championship quest - Gav is still
aiming to be the first man to win the title for the third time
and his lead over arch rival Steve Dance has now extended to 315
points which effectively allows the team the luxury of one non
finish before the end of the season.
Report, pictures and results are online now!
|
|
|
01 September - DTM
Meeting Win for Gav...
In front of what was probably the biggest crowd
of the season, Gavin won the second race of the weekend at the
DTM (German Touring Car) meeting at Brands Hatch on Sunday.
Gavin's DTM diary now
on line. |
|
|
23 August - Mallory
Test...
Team Seager were out in force at Mallory Park
on Wednesday this week on a quest to evaluate potential drivers
for next year's Pickup Truck Racing Championship. The occasion
was also used to give Gavin's rebuilt engine a run in his race
truck ensuring all was ready for the Brands DTM meeting next weekend.
Eddie Ramplin and Mark Greaves, two potential
drivers for next season, were given three runs each of approx
12 laps in the Team Seager second truck and, apart from Mark struggling
to find the pit lane entrance on his first run, both drivers performed
extremely well given it was their first time in a Truck. Assuming
that appropriate funding can be put in place, based on the performances
on the day the team would not expect either driver to be trailing
at the back of the field if they were to participate in the series
next season.
As far as Gav's truck was concerned the morning
was fairly uneventful with only a minor water leak in his first
outing and a few nuts and bolts to tighten, thereafter it was
head down to complete a race run of approx 18 laps, full credit
to Poodles and Bob Jones - all on song for Brands.
As usual to remind all fans wishing to visit….we
have plenty of time for a chat over the weekend at Brands with
lengthy breaks between practice and racing so please, all fans
welcome for a chat with Gavin and members of the team as always
we look forward to meeting you. IMAGES
|
|
|
03 August - Another
Double...
Gavin bagged another double win this weekend at
Thruxton. Gavin's report is now online here. |
|
|
28 July - 3rd and 4th
at Donington...
Gavin had a decent day's racing at Donington -
3rd in race one and 4th in race two - both from the back of the
grid. Lap times were good as he was the only driver to post a
sub 1 minute 20 second lap all day (in qualifying). He also set
the fastest lap in both races. Gavin continues to lead the overall
championship and the road racing points table.
|
|
|
25 July - Getting Ready
for Donington...
Gav and the team are looking forward to the event
that will mark halfway stage in the season, finding themselves
in a position they could never have envisaged when they pre season
tested at Donongton the team will be looking to minimise possibilities
of a DNF that could jeopardise the challenge for a third title.
Gavin said "we are only too aware that a single DNF will put the
chasing pack right on our tails again, so the emphasis is as much
on reliability as it is to do well in races" Crew chief Poodles
added " it is bonus we know following pre season testing that
set up will not be far out all that remains is to keep out of
trouble" A reminder to all fans -there will be no action till
Sunday morning with practice commencing at 10.00 a.m, please be
aware you are all welcome to visit the garage and speak with Gavin
or other members of the team at any time during Sunday. Have a
good one, Team Seager
|
|
|
14 July - Make Mine
a Double. No, Make That a Treble...
Gavin's 2008 season continued to exceed his expectations
with three wins this weekend at Rockingham. On Saturday he won
the bonus race dubbed 'The Fans Race' and then on Sunday he came
through from the back of the grid twice to win both races in the
RS Capp 100. Gavin has, as a result, extended his lead in the
championship. Report here.
|
 |
|
08 June - Gav maintains
100% on Road Races...
Gav bagged the fastest lap in qualifying and also
came through from the back of the field to win Saturday's race
at Mondello Park. Mondello is one of the few circuits where Gavin
had not win a race before so he was particularly pleased - also
to have maintained his 100% record on road circuits. Sunday was
another day however and he had the tough job of starting at the
very back of the grid again but he was again up to the task -
taking the lead from Paul Saunders on the penultimate lap! Gav's
report here.
|
 |
|
03 June - Be a Pickup
Trophy Winner...
Our new fun page competition
is now on line. All you have to do to enter is send us an email
and tell us where you think Gav had his first ever Pickup Truck
racing win. This month's prize is the Trophy that Gav won at Rockingham
last time out!
|
| |
|
26 May - Gav Wins at
Rockingham
Gav still holds the championship lead after taking
sixth place, a win and a fastest lap today (26th May) at Rockingham.
Gav has now broken Lee Caroline's career win record - Lee had
33, Gav now has 34 under his belt. Report here.
|
 |
|
19 May - Rockingham
Timetable
The timetable
for Rockingham on Bank Holiday Monday has now been made available
and it reveals that the Pickups will now have both their races
on Monday. Gavin and the team are very much looking forward to
the weekend and would like to welcome back Kelly Jayne Wells and
Paul Poulter to the track plus a warm welcome to Miguel Gomes
who is the formula's first driver to come from Portugal.
|
|
|
27 April - April Fun
Page
We're
pleased to announce that the winner of the April competiion is:
"I think my foot's stuck..." which
was entered by Kalie Kaur. Congratulations to Kalie who wins a
signed, framed print of Gav in action taken by George McNeill.
The team would like to thank everyone who entered as we enjoyed
reading all the entries. There will be another competition in
the next few days! |
|
|
20 April - Gav's Double
Double
Gav made Pickup history today at Rockingham becoming
the first ever driver to win back to back road circuit and oval
doubles. Full report here.
|
| |
|
16 April - This Weekend's
Round
The Pickups return to Rockingham this weekend
- the big oval races are always something of a premium event in
the UK as it is now the only Super Speedway racing the country.
This weekend's round will see the return to Pickups of Neil Tressler
who missed Brands Hatch whilst other additions to the grid are
former champion Paul Poulter (in Damian Carr's Truck) and ex ASCAR
Champion John Mickel. Practice is on Saturday with the two races
on Sunday. A superb supporting programme includes Legends, Caterhams,
BMWs and Formula Renault.
As always we welcome any fans who wish to drop
by and see us in the paddock.
Someone who won't be with us in the paddock this
weekend is team owner Alan Seager who is having an operation -
we all wish you well Alan and look forward to seeing you in the
paddock at the next meeting.
|
|
|
11 April - April Fun
Page
We're
pleased to announce that entries are coming in for the April fun
page competition. If you can come up with the wittiest caption
to the photo on the fun page then you could win a one-off signed,
framed print of Gav taken by ace lensman George McNeill during
#54's double winning Brands Hatch round.
We
looking forward to hearing from you.
|
| |
|
10 April - Testing
at Rockingham
The team were testing at Rockingham on Saturday.
Crew Chief Craig (Poodles) Slater and Gavin devised a structured
programme for the day during which they tried a number of variations
on the set up with the aim of becoming the team to beat at the
Rock this season season.
|
|
|
09 April - Congrats
to Kev and Jo
The team would like to congratulate Kev
King, our regular assistant mechanic, and his wife Jo who
recently gave birth to Ruby. Both mother and Ruby are very well.
Following his paternity leave at Brands Hatch Kev will be back
on the team for Rockingham.
|
| |
|
04 April - There's
only one Gavin Seager...
...if only that were the case. Thanks to another
Gavin Seager who googled himself and found the site and has been
in touch. We hope that the other Gavin will become a fan of Pickup
Truck Racing this season and we look forward to meeting him later
in the season!
|
 |
|
28 March - March Fun
Page Competition Results
From Alan Seager... I and the team would like
to thank all who entered the fun page competition
for March, of all the answers some printable and some not (!)
we have awarded this months prize to David Tasker (pictured, right)
of Paddock Wood, Kent.
His answer: "Gavin was laughing at the new nitros
pack fitted to the Nimbus truck" was deemed to have been the best
received, after the weekends results I do not think he was far
off!
Well done David.
David is a race day Track Marshall at Brands Hatch,
we take this opportunity to thank him and his colleagues for the
very important role they play as we know without them it would
not be possible to go racing.
David will receive a Team Seager t-shirt and baseball
cap for his effort.
April's fun page competition will be announced
next weekend 4th April.
|
|
|
24
Mar 2008 - Gav Doubles Up
Two races, two wins - both from the back of the grid. That's the
news from Brands Hatch. Full report and pictures here.
Gav's own report now heads the round one page.
|
 |
|
21
Mar 2008 - Easter Update
We are just about all loaded up ready to go and looking forward
to an exiting weekend of action at a circuit that usually produces
good results for us.
Poodles
has been through the truck with a fine tooth comb since our last
outing at Donington - he, more than anyone, is aware of the need
to finish both races this weekend without mechanical probs or
breakdowns. He assures us nothing has been left to chance.
We
would like remind all race fans who would like to come along with
their families and chat with Gavin or any other member of the
team they will be most welcome to do so at any time during the
weekend, we have a long break between races 1 and 2 which should
provide good opportunity.
Finally
Team Seager would like to wish all their their fellow competitors
a successful and trouble free weekend and all our supporters and
fans a great Easter... as usual a big thank you to our sponsors.
Don't
forget to read Gavins weekend report on next Tuesday.
|
| |
|
17
Mar 2008 - New Team Base
Team Seager are pleased to announce their recent move to new purpose
built facilities adjacent the new Seager Home Solutions headquarters.
Team
boss Alan Seager said: "We are very excited by this move.
As well as improving the team's base it also affords us increased
space which means we can fully and comfortably accomodate a two
car race team. The new team has gelled well since being put together
incredibly quickly last Spring. The combination of the team and
the new facility now gives us the confidence to push on and manage
another race car which we hope to have out on circuit by mid-season."
|
News ;)