I am from Essex and I compete in the Caterham Graduates series.

2003 is my first season of racing, and I am revelling in the numerous challenges that this is presenting. Initially it was what car do I buy, and how do I get a licence. Then for the first race it was, what do I need to pass Scrutineering, where should I be and when should I be there.

But now after my first four races have passed successfully, I'm starting to think about things like, What tyre pressures should I be using, what's the track like and how can I go faster.

I knew that I would be racing at Pembrey in May, when the championship calendar was announced back in February, and like 90% of the tracks, I didn't have a clue what the place was like, what the track layout was, let alone any details of turn in points and late apex's etc. So when I learnt that fellow Graduates racer Peter Tattersall had compiled his "Track Teach" CD, for the South Wales circuit, I thought that it would be a good idea to try it out.

With the benefit of hindsight, having now successfully competed in the Pembrey round (and finished in a personal best position of ninth), I can honestly say that the software did indeed help me. Even from the point of arrival at the circuit! (I found myself heading off to the nearby airfield! Until I recognised the circuit buildings in the distance, from one of the information pictures on the CD!)

But the real test was always going to be on the circuit. I'm convinced that watching and thinking about numerous (perfect) laps on my PC, before even leaving home, allowed me to settle into lapping the circuit at speed, much faster than had I been viewing the circuit for the first time from the driving seat.

After a few laps I was also able to relate the details of each corner from the CD to my driving, identifying the turn in points apex's and low curbs etc. While the CD can't tell you how hard to push the car, it was able to tell me the right place to be on the track, allowing me to increase my speed knowing that I was on the right line, which I'm sure helped my confidence.

For the Pembrey Circuit I also had the advantage of a half day test session, so by the time I got to qualifying, I was very much up to speed, and my confidence was high. Which ultimately led to a great weekend racing and a very satisfying result.

As far as user interface is concerned I can't fault the TrackTeach software. It auto runs, so I had no problems with installation, and the onscreen buttons and instructions are simple and easy to follow. A feature that I really like is the "tear off" button, which allows you to view several windows at a time, not rocket science but very simply done, and therefore very easy to use.

If I had to make any criticism, I guess that it would be a slight lack of information on how the track can change with different weather conditions, a video lap in the wet would be an interesting addition for a future addition.

So in conclusion, if you have no information about Pembrey before you are due to race there, this software is a great way to settle yourself in to the place before you even leave home. I'm sure it will also prove to be a useful memory jogger as well. I'll definitely be looking out for the next circuit to be covered by the Track Teach software. 

Regards,

Rob Russell.