Jack Butel Mid-Season Review: Sorel to Success

 Jerseyman Jack Butel is competing in the highly competitive MSA Formula Championship in 2015 against some of the world’s best young drivers. Ben Buesnel caught up with him during his mid-season break before racing resumes in August to talk about his season so far and what makes a racing driver tick.

Most people dream of becoming a racing driver, racing around iconic circuits such as Brands Hatch, Donington and Silverstone in a slicks and wings single-seater and becoming intoxicated in the thrills and spills, drama filled environment that is the world of high caliber motorsport. Some people are lucky enough to make that dream a reality and flying the flag for Jersey on the International stage is Jack Butel, racing in the FIA sanctioned MSA Formula series.

The MSA Formula to those that don’t know is a single-make series and is regarded as one of the first steps to the higher echelons of the sport, including Formula One. All the cars are equal with the same Mygale chassis and a turbo-charged Ford EcoBoost power unit to keep costs down allowing fair and competitive racing to be the highest priority. It is down to the team and driver to maximize the package available and to shine above the rest.

Butel was the first driver to sign up to the new MSA Formula series when the project was launched in 2014 after a strong first year in car racing – finishing eighth in the BARC Formula Renault Championship. The new MSA Series was to be a massive step up for the St Saviour resident as the level of competition for 2015 is immense with young talent coming from all corners of the globe to show off their racing prowess. Jack has shown flashes of speed so far this season, knocking on the door of the lucrative top 10 with a best result of 11th place at Brands Hatch earlier in the year. As well as learning a new formula and new circuits, Butel also moved teams from SWB Motorsport to JHR Developments before visiting Croft in June to further push ahead with his career progress.

‘The season so far has been solid results wise and I have improved so much as a driver. I have improved my communication and feedback to make the changes I need and to get the best out of the car. Switching teams earlier in the season was difficult but I feel right at home with JHR Developments and I think the car is on the money and there is more performance to come with it,” Enthused Butel.

Not only does Jack have the support of his team, he also has fellow Jersey residents Derek Warwick, James Walker and Nigel Mansell offering advice on tap. Butel also has three-time World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx in his camp and competes in The British Touring Car Championship on the same weekend at the same venues. Normally a Jerseyman never takes advice from a Guernseyman, however, in this circumstance it is a real cue for the young driver.

“ We work closely together on race weekends and we support each other as fellow islanders. I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for him and I try to absorb as much information and knowledge from him regarding on and off track performance. It is great to have him competing on the same weekend.”

So where did it all begin for the former De La Salle student? Jack had always been interested in motorsport from a very young age, visiting Grand Prix’s and watching local motorsport on a regular basis.

“I think my interest has to come from my Dad watching and attending events with him. Even from a young age it was always a dream to race and be successful in motorsport. I pestered Mum and Dad to let me have a go and eventually I wore them down and we got into the sport when I was 14 – which is quite late in racing terms as you can start as young as six in karting.”

Jack stepped into a kart for the first time at Sorel Point loop road – undertaking hundreds of laps of the St John road circuit. From 2010 he instantly made an impression – finishing second in the Mini Max 125cc series at his first attempt. Two years on and two championship titles and a Bouley Bay hillclimb record under his belt, Jack took the plunge to compete in circuit racing. After several tests with 3DR Racing, Butel signed with SWB Motorsport to help him make the monumental transition from karting to single-seater racing.

“ I loved competing in Jersey as the atmosphere was so friendly it was a good introduction into the sport. The Jersey Motorcycle and Light Car Club [JMC&LCC] are so supportive and they helped me get a good grounding. However, I wanted to progress and make a career within the sport so I had to race away from home. With no permanent motorsport facilities on the Island, young talent is sadly always going to be on the back-foot compared to compatriots in the UK and Europe and it took me a while to adjust to the fierce competition and technicalities of professional motorsport in the UK.

“ I always try to race on home soil as often as I can. Things like the Jersey Rally and sand racing are great ways to keep my hand in, in the season breaks. I did a sand event the other month and it was so much fun. Most fun I have had in a car and it is a cheap way to enjoy motorsport for anyone that is interested and for someone who wants to have a go.

“As well as taking from the sport I like to put back into the grassroots. In 2015 I am sponsoring the Jersey Kart Club and their Championships. I will try and get to a few more rounds at Sorel before the year is out if my schedule allows as I like to support young talent coming through and offer advice.”

As with anything, there is always a cost involved not only travelling from the Island to circuits across the country but putting together a race program for a season, and Jack and his family certainly appreciate the support of his sponsors to allow him to chase his dream.

“I cannot thank my sponsors enough, they share the same drive as I do and I could not be where I am without them and I would like to thank, Draper Tools, Comma Oil, United Aftermarket Network, FAI Autoparts, Firstline, Numax Batteries, IT Group and Rockford IT, Aerton Motors, Turin Castle, Quinton Hazel Car Parts for all getting behind me and supporting my ambition and dream and I hope they stay with me in the future as I would love to compete in the British Touring Car Championship or go into sports car racing and tackle the famous Le Mans 24 Hours.”

To achieve the dream there is a great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep Jack on track.

“ As a day job I work for my Dads company, Express Auto Parts and I also run my own business, Jersey Hydroprints which is an exciting new challenge. Away from work, I put a lot of effort into my fitness with personal trainer Cameron Elliott who really prepares me well to drive a racing car flat out and at full concentration. I also do a lot of simulator work and YouTube surfing to gain knowledge of the next track we are heading too. It just doesn’t stop! My girlfriend hardly sees me!”

The rest of the season will see the Caesarean continue to make progress in the challenging MSA Formula series and with a new weapon and team at his disposal the 19-year-old feels confident ahead of the remainder of the season.

“I would really like to finish in the top 15 in the championship and notch up some top 10 finishes by the end of the season. We had some technical difficulties, which hampered our progress initially, but now I think with JHR we can achieve the goal we have set out. I have a test before the next round at Snetterton and I can’t wait to get back in the car and get racing once again.”

The next stop on the MSA Formula calendar is Snetterton in Norfolk on 8/9 August. The Championship receives live coverage on ITV4 and highlight programmes thereafter. Follow Jack on social media – search for Jack Butel Racing on Facebook and Twitter. Let’s get behind our fellow islander and let’s back Jack!