Name: Guy Edwards
Age: 23
Location: Whiteley, Southampton, UK
V-WTCC car: Honda Accord Euro R
V-WTCC achievement: Winner of the Honda Brand Cup Race at Brands Hatch
 

You won a Brand Cup event. Tell us your story of the races.
Well, it was all a bit unexpected really. I saw a link to the VWTCC on the Race 07 website, and decided to download the demo and have a go at the Yokohama Independents Trophy - with the expectations of maybe winning a copy of Race 07 at best. From that I got allocated the Honda for the Brand Cup Races. I knew that Brands would all be about staying on the Black Stuff, as the back end of the circuit is very tricky and any touches can send you flying. So I just kept out of trouble in race one and soon realised that you have to pace yourself in a FWD in order to keep the tyres in good condition throughout the race. So towards the end I dropped back slightly. Race 2 was a bit more eventful! Managed to get involved in a tag on turn 3 which put me to the back, but after that I just kept a good pace so that I would have grip towards the end when it was needed, which paid off and meant I got another 2nd!

How did you prepare for the races?
Unfortunately, I only had 30 minutes of experience driving the front wheel driven (FWD) car before the event. So I spent most of the time learning the best way to get round in the Honda and then tweaked the setup as best I could. I knew the track well before, so it was a case of learning a new driving style rather than what lines to take.

How did you become a simracer?
I wouldn't class myself as a 'simracer', but I have raced on-line a bit with GTR2 and rFactor in the past. This is really my first attempt at 'clean' online racing, and found it much more rewarding than off-line racing.

Are you a real racer as well?
I have raced in the British Karting Championship previously where we did ok. I would love to get back into motorsport, so some hard work will be needed to hopefully do something in the future!

What are your expectations for the Semi-Finals in Brno?
The BMW's are going to walk over the rest of us, if they keep out of trouble. I think I can fight towards the front of the rest but again it will be a race of attrition. Although there is nothing to lose at this event, so I won't be just driving to get through!

Do you have any tips for new drivers?
Think ahead! There is no point managing to get into a corner quickly if you spend the rest of the time fighting to get it round and keep off the grass! A good apex and exit speed is the key in my opinion!

Who will win the V-WTCC 2008?
A BMW!