After 2 exciting rounds of the 2011 GPVWC season, the teams are heading off to the Far East with the first stop at the Suzuka circuit in central Japan. This week we take an onboard lap courtesy of Woods Racing driver Kieran Ryan.
Commentary: Tom Parker
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Q) First of all how were things for you out on track? Did the car feel good?
The car felt great. I love this track and so I have a good basic setup to start with. I find it easier to dial into this track. Suzuka holds characteristics that suit out car well.
Q) What are you thoughts on the Suzuka circuit and where do its challenges lie?
I love Suzuka, and it's by far my favourite track. I've driven here for years and could do a thousand laps here and not get bored. There are many challenges here and about 4 key areas to get right. The curves and twists in sector 1 are important to get right as one corner's exit leads to the entry of the next, and you have to carry the right amount of speed. Degner 1 and Degner 2 pose challanges, you take Degner 1 at such high speed it's easy to have an accident on the outside or indeed coming into Degner 2. Spoon is tricky too, there's a temptation to take too much speed run wide and spoil your lap. You have to position the car just right to build up ample amount of speed to take 130R just right. That leads into the triangle, which has been adjusted since I started here in 2002 many times. It? got a tighter entry but easier exit which funnels out into the final right hander.
Q) How would you describe your driving style?
Aggressive yet consistent. I have learned from last year to take this back a bit. It? something I've learned quite well from my team mate Mark. He's very calculating with when to push and when to pull back. The thing about your driving style is that it has to remain adaptable, especially for tracks like Monaco where pushing like crazy will only get you a few laps there.
Q) What do expect to see in the race here?
In the last 2 years I?e failed to do more than 1 lap here, so I expect to finish this time. If our car is reliable and I can make it into Q2, I think hard points are on the cards.
