2019 SEASON REVIEW – CATERHAM ACADEMY WHITE GROUP

Alongside their compatriots in the Green Group, the drivers in the Caterham Academy’s White Group were also experiencing their freshman season as a racing driver and getting to grips with a car like the Caterham Seven on track for the first time. That said, the competition was close in the race for the title, as two drivers went back and forth for the #1 spot.

The duel for the crown was fought between Tom Wyllys and Blair McConachie, with Wyllys turning out to be the man that came out on top. Despite this, the start to his season was much like that of fellow champion Alex Conway from the Green Group, as he took 2^nd place in the Curborough sprint before the championship took to the circuits. Once there, Wyllys took first blood at Cadwell Park by beating McConachie by 1.3 seconds, before following it up with a second victory at Oulton Park a few weeks later. A 2^nd place at Snetterton preceded a dominant third win of the year at Donington Park, then a close run P2 at Silverstone to set up a title showdown at Brands Hatch, but thankfully it turned out in Tom’s favour, as his fourth win of the year sealed the championship in his favour. Now he’ll be aiming to follow this up in Roadsport next season.

As for McConachie, he indeed did take the first maximum score of 2019 at Curborough, and made sure he kept on Wyllys’ tail on the circuits from the off, taking 2^nd place with the fastest lap to boot. Three more P2 finishes would come his way at Oulton Park, Donington and Brands Hatch, but in between he would clinch his one and only victory on the long straights of Snetterton. A small blip in form at Silverstone left him 5^th, which may have changed his championship fortunes had he scored better, as 2^nd place at Brands Hatch left him in the same position in the standings by five points behind Wyllys. No doubt he’ll be keen to hit the top spot in 2020.

James Fowler ended up as the driver that usually took up the final spot on the podium in most races and this in turn helped him secure 3^rd place in the points. With four rostrum visits in the first five races, his form tailed off towards the end of the season but was still enough to maintain his position in the standings. Other podium finishers included Adam West and Christopher McMahon, while Harry Eyre would be the one to steal the win neither Wyllys nor McConachie could clinch at Silverstone.