SIX MONTHS OF FITNESS TRAINING BRINGS REWARDS

It's now six months since Mike employed the services of Keith Barnes of Jumping Jacks, and on reflection the results have been remarkable. Back in August 2006, before Mike had won any of his recent trophies, he was concerned that he was getting very close to the TKM Intermediate weight limit. Being over 1.8 metres tall it's difficult to keep below 70kg. The total weight for that class was 144kg, and was one of the reasons we chose the ARC chassis, because in race mode it tipped the scales at just 72kg. This allowed a 2kg margin to add ballast. (Despite his speed in testing with Maranello, weight was the original reason for not doing Formula A in 2007. The Maranello is a heavy chassis.)

Back to fitness, Keith attends twice a week for an hour a session and runs through an extensive series of exercises, none of which involve any weights, and leaves Mike with a schedule for the other days. Mikes fitness in terms of recovery rate and his ability to perform these exercises has doubled in this short time. His weight has been steady at 70kg, but his muscle definition and his stamina are now far superior to where they were back in August of 2006. It's assisted in winning the trophies in 2006, but the true benefits will show in 2007 as he attacks a heavy schedule of a race meeting every other weekend. This is just another link in the chain which binds the team and which will hopefully assist Mike onto greater heights.

While writing this piece, thanks for 2007 must already be made to David Klaassen, who has produced some very fast TKM motors and to Danny Allin for getting the most out of the TEC-MEC chassis. Mike is probably the only driver using the TEC-MEC at Super 1 and Motors TV. It is very under developed, but has the promise of being the chassis to be on in 2007 and beyond thanks to the development Rob and Sam Wilson have already made on the project.

This month Mikes main sponsor for 2007 was announced, and thanks go to Andrew and David Granger & Co for all the initial support. We hope their professionalism will attract more like minded firms to partner Mike in 2007. Finally, in April Mike will hopefully have concluded his negotiations to be professionally managed. If it all goes to plan, this will have a massive impact upon his sponsorship and earnings from the sport and other associated engagements which will follow. Watch this space for further website developments and innovations thanks to Gareth!