You're now halfway through your first full season in the British Touring Car Championship. How are you getting on so far?
Well, to say it's been up and down would be an understatement. It seems I may have broken every mirror in the country with the luck I've been having, but I guess that's life! I've loved every single second so far, and the team are like my new family.
You started off on the TOCA package with the Renault Clios - how much of a transition is there between the Clios and the Touring Cars?
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| Swings and roundabouts: Smith hasn't had the season he would have hoped for so far in 2012. Picture Credit: Marc Waller. |
It's a different kettle of fish altogether. The cars are more of a racing car, and the actual racing is a lot more fierce - but that's what makes the championship what it is. Apart from the actual racing side, the other thing that's been a read surprise is fan support. Up until this season, I felt like I was racing for myself, but now it's completely different. Having people come over and wish you luck before each race is really inspiring. I know that probably sounds silly, but I love feeling like I can make anyone's day even 1% better!
How are you getting on working with Redstone Racing for this season? You have a very experienced team mate in Mat Jackson, did this help you in your step up to touring cars?
Looking in from the outside, you don't get to see just how much of a team effort it is. Every single one of the team are amazing at what they do, and all of us are there to do our best. It's an environment like no other, and being around the team pushes me further that you could imagine. Good old Mat, where do I even start?! In fairness, having him in the team has been such a help. I don't think he gets the respect he deserves because he is definitely one of the best drivers on the grid, so to learn from him is great.
Do you have any expectations for the remainder of the year?
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| Part of the family: Aron has settled in nicely at Redstone Racing, describing team mate Mat Jackson as "one of the best drivers on the grid". Picture Credit: Marc Waller. |
Hopefully to move further up the grid! There's a lot of very competitive drivers on the grid and names I've grown up watching so all I want is to try and get one over on them! I'm one to never set really stringent goals because if you don't accomplish them, you'll end up being disappointed. All I can do is my best - so hopefully that's good enough!
And finally, race days are a busy time for any racing driver. Could you describe a race day in the like of a racing driver?
Race days are absolutely manic! I'm at the track from 8am to have breakfast with the team, and we have a bit of a pre-brief over breakfast, which normally consists of the team slagging my Irish accent - which supposedly mimics sounds off "Big Fat Gypsy Weddings"! Then it's all down to business, running through everything we need to try for the first race. Race one is, in my opinion, the most important race of the weekend. A solid result in race one normally means you're on for a good weekend. After that, there's normally very little time before race two, so it's straight into a debrief to see if we need to change anything for race two. After race two, I feel like I could eat a baby through a tennis racket, so getting lunch is key! We all do a Q&A for the Redstone guests over lunch before heading back to the truck for a debrief with the engineers. After race three, you'll find me wheel spinning out the gate to catch a flight home from the nearest airport! So basically, that's my Sunday. The day goes so fast that you barely notice what happens to everyone else, so watching the replay of the three races is always a surprise to see what actually happened!
And finally, race days are a busy time for any racing driver. Could you describe a race day in the like of a racing driver?
Race days are absolutely manic! I'm at the track from 8am to have breakfast with the team, and we have a bit of a pre-brief over breakfast, which normally consists of the team slagging my Irish accent - which supposedly mimics sounds off "Big Fat Gypsy Weddings"! Then it's all down to business, running through everything we need to try for the first race. Race one is, in my opinion, the most important race of the weekend. A solid result in race one normally means you're on for a good weekend. After that, there's normally very little time before race two, so it's straight into a debrief to see if we need to change anything for race two. After race two, I feel like I could eat a baby through a tennis racket, so getting lunch is key! We all do a Q&A for the Redstone guests over lunch before heading back to the truck for a debrief with the engineers. After race three, you'll find me wheel spinning out the gate to catch a flight home from the nearest airport! So basically, that's my Sunday. The day goes so fast that you barely notice what happens to everyone else, so watching the replay of the three races is always a surprise to see what actually happened!
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| Aron will hoping to move his little "Red Devil" up the pecking order as we enter the second half of the 2012 season. Picture Credit: Marc Waller. |
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