10 Minutes With: Jack Goff

The month of March is a big one for Motorsport. One of excitement, build-up, and anxiety among fans, teams, media and drivers alike. It was no surprise then, that British Touring Car Championship newcomer Jack Goff is raring and ready to go. I caught up with Jack during this weeks BTCC Media Day at Donington Park. With a new car, team, championship and challenge, 2013 is staring him down the barrel:

"Yeah im really excited. Me and Tony Gilham (team boss of Team HARD) started to discuss joining the BTCC throughout last season. Tony gave us a really good deal and opportunity to do Touring Cars this year with Team HARD."

This season will see Team HARD embark on the commendable journey of fielding a four-car team, with two brand-new, in-house designed Volkswagen Passat CC's, and two Vauxhall Insignia's. Goff, along with fellow debutant James Cole, will field an Insignia under the banner of RCIB Insurance Racing. Despite the size of the task, Goff is highly optimistic about this seasons hopes:
"The Vauxhall Insignia is new, remoulded, and reshaped for 2013. Both the Vauxhall and the Volkswagen have similar dimensions, which stack up very well on paper and should on the track! The level of detail and hard work that has gone into the cars is simply amazing. It's been done perfectly, it's a shame we couldn't bring the car today (Team HARD's quartet of cars were still being built and  absent from Media Day), but there's no need to rush perfection."

Jack's progression through the ranks of British Motorsport to one of the pinnacle classes, began in typical fashion. Following the stereotypical yet successful karting years that many professional race drivers endure, Jack found himself ready to leap into the world of gears, headlights and dashboards in 2008:
"I started karting when I was six-years old, in 1996. I then started out car racing in the MG Trophy. I actually won my first race here at Donington park and never really looked back!"

With three impressive years racing an MG ZR 190, Jack found himself signing a contract to race for Team Pyro in the 2010 Renault Clio Cup UK; a series that to this day, has put the High Wickham-resident on the radar. I ask Goff whether in hindsight, 2010 came too soon?
" Certainly, looking back I was far too gung-ho in 2010 and '11! In fact, one of my only real regrets is that in those two years I should have really settled down. In 2011, I should have won the Championship."
Fortunes soon changed however. In 2012, Jack lifted his Clio-curse and stormed to the title, following the realisation that the gung-ho attitude needed toning down: "In 2012 we finished every single race by being more consistent. I think my win at Oulton Park in 2011 was really the race that set the rhythm for my title last season."

With past mistakes, lessons, performances and raised eyebrows all propelling the 22-year old into the BTCC, Jack comes across as a man absolutely ready to go wheel-to-wheel with some of the sports most prolific characters, in a series that few would argue he isn't worthy of.
"I grew-up watching the likes of (Jason) Plato and (Matt) Neal, and now im racing with them! It's a dream come true, but it always seemed like the natural step for me. If you don't aim high, you're kidding yourself. Always push for more."

You can keep up-to-date with Jack's progress this season by following him on Twitter: @jgmotorsport