Five circuits in 18 days: why winter doesn’t have to put a pause on motor sport

ABU DHABI, January 15-19
First stop in 2025: Yas Marina, coaching and racing with Ben Curry in a Radical SR3 in the UAE Gulf Radical Cup. I race in America with Ben in a Porsche Cup car, but we are after some winter training and chasing signatures so Ben can upgrade his race licence with the Le Mans Classic in mind. We rented the car from Dream Racing. It was my first time at Yas Marina – a remarkable facility and way better as a circuit than I expected.

PORTIMÃO, January 21-22
Flew back to Heathrow on Monday, wife Nikki picked me up, then we headed to Gatwick to fly to Portimão for two days of coaching and testing with John Emberson in his SR3. The Radical helps John get ready for his ‘Chocolate Drop’ Chevron B26, his B19 and his Corvette. Portimão is magic.

DONINGTON PARK, January 24
Back to the UK for a track day with Ben Smee with whom I race a Lotus Elan. We had a couple of Caterhams to coach Ben and his brothers Dan and Damian. I’ve got them into the BMW 116 series so they can all race together this year.

DONINGTON PARK, January 26
Back again to test a Tiga SC84 Sports 2000 for a Swiss customer, Rolf Sigrist. He was looking to buy the car, I tested it and recommended he goes ahead. The plan with the Tiga and Rolf is endurance races in Europe this year.

ABU DHABI, January 29-February 2
Back out for the next round of the Gulf Radical Cup. Ben had a nice stint to start, then I was coming through the field, just missing the lap record, only to be thwarted by safety cars. Not a top result, but lots of fun.

SEBRING, February 5-6
Flew to Sebring for two days’ testing in a Ligier LMP3 with Gary Ball. David Murry, who raced in IMSA and Grand-Am, runs great track days, all full-blown sports racing and GT cars. It was busy, lots of big teams and a great atmosphere.

SNETTERTON, February 8
The Snetterton Stages in my Toyota GT86. A propshaft problem stopped us. I was gutted. I then met up with John Spiers to discuss our year ahead – over crazy golf! Nikki and I won.

Our top events this month

Red Bull Factory tour experience
Milton Keynes, March 10
Spy where the Max magic happens as you’re taken into the inner sanctum of the Red Bull F1 team. In this 90-minute tour you’ll see how the design process works from initial ideas right up to the finished car, with a half hour included so you can admire the F1 fleet. £300.

Historics – 73 Rally Costa Brava
Girona, Spain, March 13-15
As many as 270 teams will be present for the season-opener of the European Historic Rally Championship, centred around Girona in north-east Spain. Expect Quattros, 037s, Mantas and all manner of antiquated eye candy.

Drag racing – springspeed nationals
Santa Pod Raceway, Northamptonshire, March 29-30
This National Drag Racing Championship shindig features a whopping range of cars and bikes burning serious rubber. The public has full pit access. From £35.

British GT Championship – Round 1, Donington Park
Donington Park, Leicestershire, April 5-6
The first outing of a nine-round season kicks off with two hours of dicing at Donington. Ferrari makes a long-awaited return to the championship; Duncan Cameron and Matt Griffin will be driving a 296 GT3 – racing in Cameron’s rather fetching green livery.

Historics – 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting 
Goodwood, West Sussex, April 12-13
A few years ago a March snow flurry saw a grid of F5000s gingerly make their way around the famous circuit since when the GRRC members’ only meeting has been moved to April. This year features a new Win Percy Trophy named in honour of the three-time British Touring Car champion.

Other Events

Mar 23 WRC – Safari Rally Kenya
Apr 12 Formula E – US ePrix, Miami
Apr 13 Hillclimb – Shelsley Season Opener