Please introduce yourself, tell us about you (age, nationality, profession) and how you became a simracer
Im Mark Christopher 55 years of age, born and live in England, im a Mechanic by trade and have spent many years in the motor trade and was one of Ford UK first Master Technicians, i left the motor trade 4 years ago to become a horticultaral technician mending garden machinery.
I have been involved in rallying from a young age as my dad did many RAC rallies as co Driver, and competed in 1988 with me as chief mechanic.
I have competed in motor cycle trials for a few years and i also have raced radio control cars for around 40 years, ihave been sponsored by companies and won a couple of BRCA (British Radio Car Association) National championships,
I started sim racing when RC was locked down due to Covid
How long have you played ACC ?
I started in 2020 on xbox and moved to pc 2021
Tell us how the idea of the eSeniors came to you ?
I heard about Eseniors from David Gerard (Pitbits) my PWS Team mate and being of age i joined up
How was it racing in the Eseniors Championship ?
Brilliant, one of the best sim leagues and community i have been involved with, good hard racing but fair, Made some good friends too.
How many hours did you spend preparing yourself for a Race, and why is it important ? I dare not think of the hours, i just spend as much time as possible learning as much as i can, as i do struggle getting up to a good speed, as with my RC racing practice is the key
What kind of equipment do you use (wheel, pedals, PC, screen, etc) ?
I started with xbox, an old tv and thrustmaster tsxw and tclm pedals fixed to a table, i now have a Trakracer TR80 rig, tripple screens with a high spec pc, Heusinkveld Sprint pedals and still my thrustmaster wheel and base, i am looking to move to fanatec dd this year Do you buy setups or do you setup your car alone ?
I use coach dave set ups which i play about with with the help of my team mates advice and help.
What makes you faster than the rest?
Im not sure i am, i think my RC helps as you get to understand corner speed and racing lines, i have alot to learn on sim racing still and dont understand how the aliens do it
What is you favorite car and why ? Tough question, i ran the Bentley in xbox and so far have stuck with the Aston in pc but that may change, i do like a safe consistent car but do like to try different ones, i do seem to prefere front engine cars
What is you favorite circuit (s) and why ?
Brands or silverstone, but i have more favorites than ones i dislike
Who are your childhood racing heroes ?
Russel brooks, malcom wilson, colin mcrea and richard burns simply because i got to meet them all as a youngster 10 to 19 and witness them in action, sorry they are all rally i dont really have a circuit driver hero
What is the best advice you would to give to a simracer ?
Patience and special awareness, know what and who is around you, and dont take unnecessary risks, finally consistency is the key.
Are you satisfied with the Eseniors organization, and do you have suggestions to help bring a higher level of competition ?
Just do what you are doing, the Community is run by dedicated admin who are willing to listen to others
And finally, the most important question...how many speeding tickets have you accumulated to date ?
Real life, passed my test 2 weeks after my 17th birthday to date (55) i have had one ticket for speeding. (no im not a boring old slow driver !!)
