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Showing posts with label ollie millroy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ollie millroy. Show all posts
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
European Le Mans Series Podium at the Red Bull Ring in Austria
Monday, 20 May 2013
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20/05/2013
Ecurie Ecosse claims hard-fought ELMS podium at Imola
The team’s Barwell Motorsport-run BMW Z4 GT3 enjoyed its last competitive outing at Rockingham as part of the British GT Championship with drivers Oliver Bryant and Marco Attard at the start of May, but with the squad’s focus now firmly back on the ELMS, the Imola event would represent their first dry race in the championship.
Saturday morning’s qualifying session was completed by Smith, who recorded a time of 1m45.8s to line up fourth in class for that afternoon’s three-hour race.
Smith remained aboard for the race’s opening stint where he was up against the other teams’ much more experienced “Pro” drivers. 50 minutes later Twyman took over and also settled into a solid rhythm before he was handed a 30-second stop/go penalty for a pit-lane speeding infringement, losing the car over a minute to the class leaders.
With 90 minutes remaining, and following another faultless turnaround from the Barwell pit crew, Millroy embarked on his double stint lying seventh. Although this would be Ollie’s first ever race among the much quicker sports-prototypes that share the ELMS grid, he expertly tempered outright speed with traffic management, and overcame a light rain shower, to haul the BMW up to fourth despite the extra Balance of Performance weight starting to take its toll on the brakes. P4 then became third on the final lap when the Lamborghini ahead was forced to pit in order to avoid a maximum “Pro” driver time infringement.
The team left the Italian circuit on Saturday evening delighted to have maintained leads in both the Drivers’ and Teams’ championships ahead of the next ELMS round at Austria’s Red Bull Ring on July 19/20.
Ollie Millroy, Ecurie Ecosse Driver: “We lacked pace in the dry at Imola so I think we did extremely well to come away with a podium, and it proves that our overall strategy is correct. Races like this are extremely important when trying to win a championship. We’ve got a lot to work on before Austria to ensure that we can maintain our points lead.”
Andrew Smith, Ecurie Ecosse Driver: “Imola is full of atmosphere and it was a privilege to race our BMW there at such a high level. The aim was to maintain our championship lead and we achieved that, but the GTC class is getting much more competitive now and with very few other cars running Bronze drivers we are going to have to work extremely hard to keep it up.”
Joe Twyman, Ecurie Ecosse Driver: “Every time I get in the car I am learning, so to come away with a podium from my first ELMS race was fantastic. The Barwell crew were superb as always and sharing the car with Andrew and Ollie is always a pleasure. I am not in the car again until the Hungaroring in September but I will continue to work hard on my fitness and in the simulator in order to pick up where I left off in Italy!”
Mark Lemmer, Barwell Motorsport Team Principal: “We struggled a bit for pace at Imola with the substantial extra Balance of Performance weight we had to carry, but I’m really satisfied that with some good strategy calls we managed a very strong points haul.”
Ecurie Ecosse’s next competitive outing sees the team head to Silverstone for round four of the British GT Championship on May 26 where they will field regular drivers Bryant and Attard.
2013 European Le Mans Series - Top three GTC Drivers’ points after two of five races:
1. Ollie Millroy/Andrew Smith / Ecurie Ecosse / BMW Z4 GT3 / 40 points
2. Lorenzo Case/Stefano Gai/Andrea Rizzolo / AF Corse / Ferrari 458 Italia / 36
3. Alasdair McCaig / Ecurie Ecosse / BMW Z4 GT3 / 25
= Fabio Babini/Viktor Shaitar/Kirill Ladygin / SMP Racing / Ferrari 458 Italia / 25
2013 European Le Mans Series - Top three GTC Teams’ points after two of five races:
1. Ecurie Ecosse / BMW Z4 GT3 / 40 points
2. AF Corse / Ferrari 458 Italia / 36
3. SMP Racing / Ferrari 458 Italia / 25
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Ecurie Ecosse
Photo credit: Peter May
Click on individual images to download
For more information on Ecurie Ecosse please visit www.ecurieecosse.com
Follow our blog: ecurieecosse.blogspot.com
Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Twitter: @ecurie_ecosse
Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Facebook
Click here for the press release (PDF)
Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse Association Membership Pack
Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse 60th Anniversary Ltd Edition Bremont Chronometer Watch Presentation
Follow Ecurie Ecosse Drivers on Twitter: @alasdair_mccaig @oliverjbryant @andrewsmitht70 @joetwyman1986@olliemillroy
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Andrew Smith
Tel: +44 (0)7710 644 366
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Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Photo Gallery- Silverstone ELMS
Some photographs from the first round of the ELMS Championship at Silverstone. Taken by Jakob Ebrey and his team.
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| Alasdair McCaig straps in to the 79 Ecurie Ecosse BMW. |
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| The whole Ecurie Ecosse/Barwell Motorsport Team |
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| BMW and Ecosse |
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| L-R Joe Twyman Andrew Smith Alasdair McCaig Ollie Millroy |
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| Ecurie Ecosse BMW Z4GT3 |
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| The race was WET |
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| The team |
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| Mark Lemmer gets a soaking from Andrew smith, whilst Andrew gets soaked by Ollie Millroy! |
EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIES ROUND 1 SILVERSTONE
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15/04/2013
Stunning European Le Mans Series debut for Ecurie Ecosse at Silverstone
The team experienced mixed weather conditions during Friday's free practice, but by the end of session two the Ecurie Ecosse BMW was the quickest GTC car and fourth fastest GT overall. With series rules dictating that the driver setting the fastest time during the 20-minute qualifying run must start the 3-hour race, it was decided that Smith would tackle the session so as to allow BMW Scholarship driver Millroy to complete the crucial final two stints. Following a night of rain the circuit was wet early on Saturday morning, but by the time qualifying came the track was almost completely dry. On Smith’s first ever new-tyre run he set a strong pace with a quickest lap of 2m03.737s leaving the Ecurie Ecosse BMW second in the GTC Class, 0.25s shy of pole and in the midst of the much quicker GTE pack. Smith started the race on slick tyres but with rain falling during the green flag lap conditions were extremely slippery. An on-track incident caused a safety car on lap two while the rain was becoming heavier, though series regulations stipulate that drivers cannot pit during the first three laps of a caution period. Smith made the call to stop for wet tyres immediately after the restart while the class-leading Audi stayed out. After a lightning-quick turnaround from the Barwell crew Smith was able to set a strong pace on fresh Michelins, while the GTC pole-sitting Audi driven by Porsche Supercup race-winner Kuba Giermaziak eventually emerged from its stop a lap down on the Ecurie Ecosse BMW. Following a swift changeover Smith handed the BMW to McCaig, who went on to complete a superb stint in treacherous conditions as standing water started to collect across the circuit. Despite contact from an optimistic prototype at Abbey corner on his opening lap, the Scot consistently set strong lap times to maintain the team’s class-leading position. As conditions continued to worsen another safety car was deployed and McCaig pitted once the window opened to hand over to Pro driver Millroy. With the heavens remaining open track conditions were deteriorating quickly, leaving a number of competitors unable to maintain control behind the safety car. Millroy did an exceptional job keeping the BMW on the island without incident after the team was given permission to increase its average speed to catch the pack. Sadly the race only continued to 75% distance before the red flags appeared, denying Millroy the opportunity to show his exceptional wet weather pace which could undoubtedly have pushed the team considerably further up the overall classification. Nevertheless, Ecurie Ecosse claimed maximum points with a class win and top-10 overall finish, a superb start to the team’s European Le Mans Series campaign. Hugh McCaig, Ecurie Ecosse Team Principal: "Our inaugural ELMS race was certainly a baptism! The conditions during practice and the race were changeable and unpredictable, but the whole team adopted a sensible driving approach. This, coupled with inspired tactics by Adam Hardy, gave us a brilliant class victory and 10th overall, a superb effort by the whole crew." Andrew Smith, Ecurie Ecosse Driver: "We came to Silverstone to win the GTC class and that’s exactly what we did. The Barwell crew did a fantastic job as ever. I had the best of the weather and certainly the easiest stint, while Alasdair did an amazing job keeping the car on the circuit in horrific conditions. I’m gutted for Ollie as for a second race running he was only able to drive behind the safety car, but we bagged maximum points and I’m now very much looking forward to Imola." Alasdair McCaig, Ecurie Ecosse Driver: "My stint was certainly a game of survival due to the treacherous conditions. The team did a great job as ever and our strategy was spot on. This was a fantastic way to start our ELMS campaign and I am looking forward to getting back in the car at the Red Bull Ring." Ollie Millroy, Ecurie Ecosse Driver: "This is a fantastic result for the team and a great start to the season. Of course, none of us want to finish a race behind the safety car, but the conditions were too dangerous to continue. It was difficult to even keep the car in a straight line! However, we made the most of the conditions and came away with lots of momentum to carry through to Imola." Mark Lemmer, Barwell Motorsport Team Principal: “We set out to win our home race at Silverstone and bank maximum points towards our Le Mans Series title campaign and, thanks to a faultless performance from the drivers, pit stop crew and engineers we were able to do so in style." Ecurie Ecosse’s next competitive outing sees the team head to Rockingham for round three of the British GT Championship (5 May) with drivers Oliver Bryant and Marco Attard. Round two of the European Le Mans Series takes place at Imola on 18 May where Millroy, Smith and Joe Twyman will share driving duties.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Ecurie Ecosse
Photo credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography - www.jakobebrey.com
Click on individual images to download
For more information on Ecurie Ecosse please visit www.ecurieecosse.com
Follow our blog: ecurieecosse.blogspot.com
Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Twitter: @ecurie_ecosse
Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Facebook
Click here for the press release (PDF)
Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse Association Membership Pack
Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse 60th Anniversary Ltd Edition Bremont Chronometer Watch Presentation
Follow Ecurie Ecosse Drivers on Twitter: @alasdair_mccaig @oliverjbryant@andrewsmitht70 @joetwyman1986 @olliemillroy
OB
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Friday, 12 April 2013
EUROPEAN LE MANS SERIES SILVERSTONE
A few photos from today's practice sessions at Silverstone. Our BMW Z4 GT3 set the 3rd quickest time in FP1 and 1st quickest time in FP2 in the hands of Alasdair McCaig, Andrew Smith and Ollie Millroy. The circuit was very wet in FP1 and dried towards the end of FP2 allowing us to run slicks in the closing stages. We'll post more photos as the weekend goes on! Follow us on twitter for updates @ecurie_ecosse
Photo credits: Jakob Ebrey and Marcus Potts
Free Practice 1
Free Practice 2
OB
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Busy Winter!
Busy Winter!
Alongside season preparations, I have been working hard for a young driver who I mentor and coach, Cameron Twynham (not related to Joe) and shall be helping him throughout the whole season in the European Open Formula 3 Championship.
I first worked with Cameron in October 2012, in the Formula Renault BARC Championship where he was competing with SWB Motorsport. He was massively inexperienced compared to his competitors having done a very limited amount of karting and only one season in Formula BMW, yet he was still strong amongst the rest of the field. I could see areas that he could certainly improve on to take some big steps forward so we worked extremely hard throughout the winter on his fitness, mental preparation and simulator work which resulted in a podium at his first race, a result he thoroughly deserved! The first round of his main championship will take place at Paul Ricard on 28th April!
As you may, or may not already know, golf takes up a lot of my time all year round! I have been putting a lot of work into my game throughout the winter with countless freezing cold hours on the driving range and the waterproofs have been used an awful lot out on course! My current handicap is 8 and on it's way down but just like motorsport the closer you get, the harder it is to improve and the more hours of practice you need to invest! The main reason I chose to take up the sport, was to train my mind for motor racing as golf is certainly the most mentally challenging sport in the world. There is never anyone or anything else to blame, you are totally on your own and your result will solely depend on how you play. 
So besides my golf, coaching and of course working hard to secure my drive for the 2013 season, most of my time has been taken up by training. I decided in the middle of the 2012 season that by the first race this year, I want to be fitter and stronger than I ever have been. However, putting these hours in solely at a gym can be extremely tedious so I decided to take up cycling, which is where I do he majority of my cardio training! I set myself a challenge and on the 3rd May 2013, I shall cycle 400km in 48hrs in aid of The Halow Project, a charity set up to support young people with learning disabilities. To sponsor my ride and support this charity, please visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/olliemillroy
OM
Friday, 15 February 2013
Winter training
Some photos from my pre-season cycling regime!
Fitness is key for success in Endurance racing, here i am training with the likes of Ollie Millroy..
Blogs
As mentioned in previous posts the blog will be updated by key members of the team to help give insight into Ecurie Ecosse as it is today.
At the bottom of each blogpost there will be initials which indicate the author.
Simply:
JT- Joe Twyman
OB- Olly Bryant
AS- Andrew Smith
AM- Alasdair McCaig
OM- Olly Millroy
We can blog separately about nicknames somewhere down the line....
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| Olly Bryant/Alasdair McCaig |
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| Olly Bryant/Andrew Smith |
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| Joe Twyman (John Haribo) Ollie Millroy |
Monday, 11 February 2013
BES Photos
Seemingly wherever we went in 2012 with the Blancpain Endurance Series the rain followed us. Ironically the only event at which we didnt see rain was the one place we expected it: Nurburgring. Throughout the year a number of photographers got soggy on Ecosse's behalf and below are a selection of some of our favourite shots. Photography: Jakob Ebrey, Peter May & Brecht Decancq.
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| In 2012 we had such a great team camaraderie. This is pre race at the Nurburgring with Grahame Bryant, Chris Clark, Olly Bryant, Joe Twyman, Ollie Millroy and Alasdair McCaig. All those not in overalls travelled over from Spa Francorchamps where they had been doing the historic 6 hour race. Andrew Smith is in the car waiting to go! |
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| Monza was very wet and a real baptism of fire for all the boys! Andrew started the race and it ran for 40 minutes under the safety car! |
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| Silverstone was similarly wet with the race started under the safety car again. This time it was Joe's turn to endure the stint from hell.. The issue in both instances was more spray related than anything else. Its like driving blind into a sea of mist. Not ideal when you know there are two others waiting to have a go in the pits! |
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| Paul Ricard is a great place and despite the long Mistral Straight the Z4 went very well there. Unfortunately we were robbed of a points finish on the last lap with a "fuel issue"..... Here we are seen with the Haribo racing Porsche. Its always good to be pitted next to them for obvious supply reasons! |
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| Andrew's first stint at the Nurburgring was fantastic. The boys picked up their first BES championship points after a gruelling 3 hour race on the GP circuit. |
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| The final round of BES at Navarra. Our 2011 spec Z4 is up against the Vita4One and Marc VDS 2012 examples. There was about 9 tenths difference in the upgrade kit and we knew we were getting the best out of the 2011 car when we went quicker here than the 2011 FIA GT3 Pole time. |
2012
2012 saw Ecurie
Ecosse return to international sportscar racing for a full season. This time,
the weapon of choice was the potent BMW Z4 GT3 in the British GT Championship
and Blancpain Endurance Series. Alasdair McCaig and Oliver Bryant contested the
UK Championship, whilst Joe Twyman and Andrew Smith were joined by former BMW
Scholarship driver Ollie Millroy to contest the European Series.
Barwell
Motorsport were again chosen to run the Z4 and they turned out a faultless car
all year. The season got off to an excellent start with Ecurie Ecosse winning
at Oulton Park in their first race in the British GT Championship. Bryant and
McCaig followed this up with podiums at Brands Hatch and Silverstone (where
Ollie Hancock stood in for Bryant).
The Ecurie Ecosse
BMW scored points in every round of the championship and this left McCaig just
half a point behind the leaders going into the final round at Donington Park in
September. The championship was so competitive that 6 different drivers could
leave Donington as Champion. McCaig was re-united with regular driving partner
Bryant after a 2-month injury forced lay-off. With ten minutes to go in
the two-hour race, it looked as though the pairing had done enough to secure
the championship for Ecurie Ecosse and Alasdair at the first time of asking.
Oliver was running 3rd on the road out of the points-scoring
runners. Disaster then struck as Oliver was handed a 1-minute stop-go
penalty for accidental contact with the championship rival Ferrari. This
dropped McCaig to 5th in the drivers standings much to the disappointment
of the huge crowd of sponsors, friends and supporters in the Ecurie Ecosse
garage.
In the highly
competitive Blancpain Endurance Series Ecurie Ecosse had some very promising
showings against more up to date machinery. The season kicked off in
miserable conditions at Monza, where Smith, Twyman and Millroy brought the car
home an impressive 11th in class and 21st overall on the massive
55-car grid. At Paul Ricard, Oliver Bryant joined Twyman and Millroy. The
trio were enjoying a very strong run, running 8th in class and
12th overall until fuel pick-up issues on the final lap dropped the car
several places. Even so, the Ecurie Ecosse machine came home an impressive 13th in
class and 20th overall.At the Nurburgring, Smith was back in the car
alongside Twyman and Millroy and the trio enjoyed an excellent run in dry
conditions. Unfortunately the smaller fuel tank in the 2011-spec BMW meant that
they could not take advantage of a safety car period to re-fuel the car and
therefore lost some positions. Despite this, all three drivers did an
excellent job and the result netted a points finish of 10th in class and
20th overall. For the final round at Navarra, Smith, Twyman and Millroy were
together once again and had their best run of the season. A podium finish was
on the cards when the heavens opened and the safety car dropped the team a lap
behind the rest of the pack. The team’s qualifying pace was outstanding
with Millroy putting in a time confirmed by the factory which was quicker than
a 2011-spec Z4 has ever lapped on the circuit and would have been good enough
for pole position in the 2011 FIA GT3 Championship. The team made a big
impression, surprising many of the bigger well funded teams by running at the
front on a fraction of the budget in older specification machinery, proving
that with a brand new 2013 car Ecurie Ecosse can challenge for overall class
honours in what is now the world’s most competitive GT Series.
JT
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