Interview with Craig Copeland - Formula Renault Racing Driver

Driven to succeed!

Racing Driver Craig Copeland talks about what drives him….
Interview by David R. Jones.



With chiselled good looks that are no doubt already setting hearts a-flutter, Craig Copeland looks like a racer, talks like a racer and most importantly, drives like a racer.  This locally-based young man seems to have an innate talent for driving racing cars incredibly fast!

This is a phenomenally-focused young man with the burning passion and ability to go all the way to Formula One, much like the sensation of the 2007 F1 season, Lewis Hamilton.  Craig is pushing hard to reach the top, he completely understands what it will take to get there and he shows a commitment bordering on obsession!

What’s more, he has the skills and steely determination needed to succeed!

We recently caught up with him between races at Jimmy’s on Poole Hill in Bournemouth……

Hi Craig, could you tell me when and how you started racing?

At the age of 8, in about 1997.  Almost as soon as I was born, a guy called Ron Shone, paid for me to race for the first 4 years.  I started out in Cadets, karts.  It was local stuff, from the age of 8 to 12.  I was racing locally, not in the British Championship or anything……

What do you enjoy most about racing?

Being in the car – it’s just such a buzz!  Coming out of meetings when you’ve had a good result.  It’s every young boy’s dream.  And the winning, of course!  It’s indescribable, really.

What have been the main highs and lows in your racing career so far?

The high was winning the British Championship, JICA, which is the same one that David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Anthony Davidson won.  The low was this year – missing the first 5 races due to lack of funding.  Happily it’s come good, I’ve got the funding in place and I’m back in the car!

Who are your heroes or role models?  (If you have any).

Obviously Senna was a big one for me.  And Rafa Nadal.  Those guys are great for a young person to look up to.  I’m not such a huge tennis fan, but with Nadal, every time you look at him, you can see what he’s going to be.

What makes those people so special?

The drive, the passion……  It’s just making that extra effort.  Without that, you’re not going to make it.  It’s all in the head!



How do you think Lewis Hamilton has managed to get where he is?

The same things as in the last question.  It’s the drive.  Having the right backing, the support, a strong family and a good background.  You also have to believe in yourself.

What are you planning to do next to further your own career?  What’s the next step?

I’ll be racing Palmer Audi next year.  Maybe for the next 2 seasons, with TV coverage of the races, and then Formula 3 or maybe 2 years in GP2 and then hopefully something in Formula 1, as a driver or test driver.  That way I’ll have 4 years in cars and I’ll learn all I’ll need to know by then.

Which is your favourite circuit and why?

Croft, because it’s very technical, a very good driver’s circuit.  It’s very tight and you have to drive really hard to overtake someone.  I’d love to drive the road circuits, like Monaco.

Do you have any close rivals in your championship?

I try not to think of anyone as a rival.  Everyone has to be beaten out there.  Once the helmet goes on, everyone else is just another car that you’ve got to get past.

What’s a typical race day like for you?

An early start, a very early start.  Into the truck to look at the data from the previous day’s testing, a quick run to get a sweat going (in my race suit).  Then the race (or qualifying and then the race).  In the truck, we look at all kinds of statistics, where to brake, we think about the car, we’re always trying to find the last few tenths [of a second].  That’s where races are won and lost.  Trying to find consistency.

What do you do when you’re away from the circuits, when you’re not racing?  What do you do during the week?

I drive and coach people that want to learn how to drive racing cars.  I coach people at Bedford Autodrome.  I teach them how to drive fast on the circuit in cars like the new Jaguar XKR, Porsche 911s, 2-seater Jaguars (a kind of Le Mans style racer), Caterhams, the Clio Sport and karts, of course.  I train 4 times a week for 2 hours each time at the gym.  I spend 2 hours a week with a Head Coach* [a kind of psychological motivator] to get my head in order.  The rest of the time is spent trying to get sponsorship for my racing.

How do you balance everything?

Racing is my life!  [so there isn’t much else to get in balance].  I have a little bit of time to see my friends.  They are school friends and friends that I’ve met through racing.

Do you have time for any hobbies?  Girlfriends?

Obviously I go to the gym and I play golf, tennis, play pool – in fact, I play pool in competitions at County level.  And girlfriends, well, all I can say is that my girlfriend has to be very understanding!

What do you drive normally?  How does it compare with your Formula Renault car?

I’ve got a Renault Clio.  They give you a “Friends and Family” discount.  It’s completely different from the racing car.  It’s not rear-wheel drive, it’s got a roof and it’s a lot slower!  There’s no comparison.



What music do you listen to when you’re driving?

I just listen to the radio.  When I’m driving on the road, I tend to be thinking about my goals and visions.  I start thinking about what I want to achieve.  That’s what my Head Coach has encouraged me to do.

How does your family feel about you racing?

They are very, very passionate.  They have put everything on the line for me and anyway, it’s always been one of my dad’s dreams.  When he couldn’t afford to race himself, he did everything he could to give me the chance to race.  I’m not sure if I could put my own son through it, knowing what I do now, because it has been really tough and it takes a very strong character.  But my parents have been fantastic.  They’ve been behind me every step of the way.

Do you have a special routine (any superstitious habits) for just before a race?

I’ve got a pair of socks I always wear and I give 2 taps of my thumbs on the steering wheel before a race.  That puts me in focus and it’s something that my Head Coach has shown me how to do.

Finally, do you have a motto?  For example, Takuma Sato, the Japanese racing driver’s motto is “No attack, no chance!”  How about you?

I haven’t had one up to now.  But I’ve got one from my Head Coach: “Positive thinking, positive living”.  In other words, if you think positive thoughts, you’ll achieve what you’re aiming for.

Red Dragon Motorsport (UK) wishes Craig all the best for next season and let’s hope he gets on that podium!

* Craig’s Head Coach is Sue Stone of the Sue Stone Organisation in Ferndown, Dorset.