REDNAL driver Tobias Owen is confident he will benefit from the experience of his debut season in motorsport.
With dry conditions having greeted drivers for Saturday’s qualifying session in the final round of the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship at Silverstone last weekend, Owen qualified for race one in the middle of the pack.
After a slow start following problems with his clutch, he was able to finish in the lower half of the grid in 58th.
Heavy rain pelted the track and changed the complexion of the contest for race two and Owen experienced similar problems to the opener.
But he managed to make up ground after some great battles with fellow drivers, and made up the places to earn his first Championship points since May in 51st.
Despite the positives, Tobias and his team then faced a race against the clock to repair the clutch, which had worsened, along with the brakes which had worn out during race two.
Managing to get back out onto the track for the final race of the season, Owen was embroiled in battles throughout, including a dash to the chequered flag with two other competitors.
Finishing in 55th, just behind Sam Jarvis by a tenth of a second, Owen ended the championship in 85th overall.
Reflecting on his first-ever campaign in racing, Owen said: “It’s been tough, a real learning experience and expensive at times.
“But though I might have changed my approach and preparation with hindsight, I wouldn’t have traded this year for anything.
“Now I am already turning my attentions to next year, with a year’s experience under my belt, I know what I need to do to improve the car and also improve my own performance.
“It’ll be a busy winter, but it’ll all be worth it come the first races of 2020.”
