From the simulator to the cockpit of a real racing car – that’s how we could describe the current motorsport journey of young driver Revie Lake, who is competing in his first season in the Ginetta Junior Championship.
When did you first start getting interested in motorsport? What was the very first impulse that made you want to get involved?
“I first got interested in motorsport just for fun before COVID, and I did a few test days in a kart around PFI. Then I took a break from real-life racing and got into sim racing, where I slowly improved and taught myself what to do with a bit of help from my dad. Over the past couple of years, I’ve continued teaching myself. When my dad started racing again, I went along to watch, which got me even more interested and allowed me to learn small things each weekend I was there.”
Did you have any idols or drivers who inspired you to start?
“My biggest idol was obviously my dad, as he coached me through the years. I may not have always listened to him on the outside, but on the inside I learned a lot, and what he said always helps me.”
What was your very first step — did you go straight into Ginetta Juniors, or did you have earlier experience (for example, simulators, other sports)?
“I started in the sim for a few years coaching myself like I already said but When my dad started his own GT4 team, I went along to watch and noticed a series called Ginetta Juniors, which raced on the same package. Of course, I kept asking to have a go and race one. Eventually, he gave in and I went for a test. I wasn’t too bad considering I’d never driven anything before and I hadn’t even been that good on the sim. I had my first two days around Blyton before the Ginetta Scholarship, which was a great experience. I competed against around 70 top karters or experienced drivers. I made it through to the second day, which was good enough for me, but in the end I was just missing the driving part, which sadly made me leave early.”
What were the biggest challenges at the beginning (training, experience)?
“Experience was what I lacked for ages, which wasn’t helpful. But I think being chucked in at the deep end — into the hardest car to drive and a very, very competitive championship this year — has helped me loads with learning the car, the tracks, and my racecraft.”
“I’ve tried multiple different hobbies, and nothing was more exciting than the adrenaline rush in racing. The competitiveness constantly makes you think and forces you to make little to no mistakes in order to be the quickest.”
So far, what has been the toughest moment on your journey in motorsport?
“To start with, it was about dealing with the downs of motorsport. But as you drive more, the downs go away quickly, and you want to push to be better next time — to get out of the middle pack when the chaos happens.”
This season has been a crucial step in gaining experience for the next chapters of his career and in his development within the world of motorsport. Now, all eyes are on his final race weekend at Donington Park on October 4–5