Interview: Dan Wells

(c) Octane Photographic

Dan Wells is a British racing driver. He has progressed through the ranks quickly and impressively. In 2009, at the age of 18, he began his journey in motor racing and by 2011 he is one of the leading drivers in the Formula Renault UK series.

In 2010 he impressed in the Formula Ford 1600 category and that caught the attention of the Racing Steps Foundation. He joined a number of other drivers at the RSF shoot out for backing and led the timings, but did not get the opportunity to be chosen. In 2011 he joined the Formula Renault UK series at round 3 and finished 10th overall in the final standings after some impressive drivers. He finished the Formula Renault UK Finals series in 2nd and as vice champion. In 2012 he is looking for backing to go into the FRUK 2012 season.

What was your first experience of racing and what did you think of it?

I first sat in a corporate go kart in Andover for my 11th birthday - the track was really slippy and the karts were low powered but I absolutely loved it - the smell, the engines and just driving the karts was something I instantly took to. I don't think there is anything quite like the feeling of pushing a racing car to it's limit.

You started your racing career quite recently, why was this?

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My parents worked 7 days a week so we couldn't go karting on the weekends unfortunately. I entered a college team into the British Schools Karting Championship aged 18 and we got to the final. I beat a lot of Super One and Formula Kart Stars drivers and I just knew I had to follow my dream from this point. I subsequently went down to Clay Pigeon Kart track in Dorchester and took up Senior Rotax Karting - in my first race I got the fastest lap and I was on the podium as soon as I was off my novice plates - it was a lot of learning squeezed into just a 3 month period but I enjoyed it immensely. For 2010 I moved into Formula Ford 1600 and I took 5 class wins in 11 races with John Percy - who incidentally lived down the road from me. It was John, myself, the car and a trailer and we did the best we could do with the limited resources available to us. The opportunity with the Racing Steps Foundation came about later that year where there was a 6 week evaluation process involving psychometric, physiological, simulator and on track tests. I went P1 in the shootout at Rockingham in Formula Renault machinery but unfortunately things didn't work out with them, but I'm thankful for the opportunity.

Did you expect to progress this quickly up the motorsport ladder?

In all honesty yes - before I sat in a kart I had written down my goals and aspirations and how I was going to do it. I am still following that original plan now and I can only hope that this may continue, because it is only going to get harder...

First time out you did not get the backing from the Racing Steps Foundation, did this help your career in any way?

Yes absolutely - no one had heard of me when I was announced as a candidate, and they enabled me to step into a Formula Renault UK car which wouldn't have been possible otherwise.

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You debuted in the British Formula Renault series in the 3rd round, did this affect your season greatly?

Yes it did, without any meaningful testing with Atech Reid GP it meant I was straight in at the deep end and our tests had to be crammed into the 1.5 hr friday practices - however I think we did a great job to come from finishing 8th at our first race together, to finishing on the podium multiple times in the Finals Series to get 2nd in the Championship.

You had an immensely successful 2011 season in FR, what would you say was your best race and why?

I would have to say Snetterton in the Finals Series - it was wet and I started in 3rd place. Rowland and myself jumped into 1st and 2nd on the first lap and from then on it was a a 25 minute race where we were never separated by more than 0.6 of a second - we had to fight our way through the slower BARC cars too which was a bit dangerous at times but we were rapid. I tried as hard as I could to make a move but in fairness to Oli he drove a great race too to just hold me off by 0.2s at the line.

You finished the Formula Renault UK finals series as Vice champion, some people will be unaware of its meaning, what does it mean?

It means that I beat over 20 other European and British drivers, backed by the likes of Red Bull and the Racing Steps Foundation, with budgets significantly overshadowing mine - unfortunately Oli was just out of reach but I'm very pleased with how we performed as a team.

What has helped you progress the most in Motor racing?

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Now that's an interesting question! There are various factors - firstly, and most importantly, the people. I have a huge support network that helps me to be on the grid, and to perform at my best when I am there. Secondly, I would say simulators have been very useful to me - because I don't have a huge amount of on track experience, I find that using these really does help train the mind. For example, going into my first FF1600 race - it wasn't my first ever kart race to me, because I had done it 100's of times online and was used to doing it. It sounds a little 'out there' but I'm a great supporter of simulators for use as driver training. Finally I would say a willingness to try anything and to not be afraid of failure, this is very important.

Have there been any challenges along the way?

Yes, having very little track time and then going out and beating guys who have been karting for 10 years is difficult, but the most difficult thing of all is raising the budget to go racing. I am looking to do Formula Renault UK again this year to go for the title but without the money this can't happen.  Motor racing is an expensive sport and raising the funding is tough. I am working with a company who are associated with the Lotus F1 team (BAM Motorsport Group) and we are working hard to put a package together that will enable us to be on the grid this season. I have also taken the initiative and set up www.gofundme.com/danwellsracing where, in the past 6 weeks, people have sponsored me nearly £6,000 - which is truly amazing and I am so grateful for everyone's support. I do believe that if I want something enough, and work hard enough for it, I will get there. I just need to keep believing!

How have the last few months been for you? You have been very busy?

Yes it's been a busy winter! I haven't got to sleep before 1am since the Finals Series - constant emails, writing and phone calls! The Autosport Show was probably the busiest time - 4 days in Birmingham and my longest day was 18 hours - but I know it will be worth it in the end. I'm thankful to everyone who does support me - everyone on Twitter too, because some days I can get quite down and they always seem to make me positive again!

What do you think, or hope, to have achieved by the end of 2012?
I hope that I would have got to the grid and won the Formula Renault UK Championship.

As you can tell by the interview Dan is very driven and determined. He is such a nice guy and i really hope he gets onto the 2012 FRUK grid. So much young talent is hindered by funding and opportunities but Dan has persevered. I honestly wish him all the best for 2012 and beyond, and will keep a close eye on his progress. The past few months have been very busy for him, as he said the Autosport Show opened many doors for him. I even watched him at the charity auction on the F1 Racing Stage.

Dan truly deserves to be on the grid this year, if you want to help him get there go here: http://www.gofundme.com/danwellsracing
Also follow him on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/danwellsracing

Also check out Dan Well's fan page here: http://danwellsfans.wordpress.com/ 
You can also see my other interviews with racings young stars by clicking on the "interview" page at the top of the website.