On Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th April, 20-year-old Caterham resident, Michael Gibbins, stole the show at the Sports 2,000 race weekend at Silverstone in Northamptonshire.

 

On the Saturday, Michael, who drives a 2 litre, 4 duratec engine MCR Sport 2,000 car, lined up with 36 other cars for the very short 15 minute qualifying session, and put in a time good enough for pole position for race 1 later in the day.

 

After some minor changes to the car, Michael took to the grid to start the first round of the season from first position, but dropped to second position after a not-too-perfect start.  However,  later in the race he managed to pull off a daring move all the way around the outside of the right-hand bend at the end of the straight, getting back into first position.  He went on to win the race comfortably with a margin of nine seconds.  

 

Michael was on pole again for race 2 on the Sunday, and this time kept ahead at the start.  A battle for lead position continued for several laps until Michael was able to open up a small gap and go on to win the second race of the season. 

 

After winning the two races, Michael said:  “I’m very pleased and especially delighted that nothing broke down!  Everything was quite smooth, which was a nice surprise, especially given that it was the first race of the season.”

 

Michael started racing at the age of eight when he received a go-kart for his birthday.

He said:  “My dad used to race, so I have been at the race track since I was about five years old.”

Michael said that he is hoping to get more sponsorship so that he can move up to the next step, driving GT cars.

 

Michael said:  “The ultimate goal for me would be winning the Le Mans 24 hour race and becoming a professional racing driver.”

 

Michael is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham which, he says, is his back-up but will also nicely complement a career as a professional racing driver if he can achieve his dream. 

 

Michael is currently sponsored by Croudace Homes and Protectall (London) Ltd.  Businesses interested in sponsoring Michael can contact him via Facebook or Twitter.