An Interview with 2014 Bangerstox Southern Champion 92 Amy Harper
(interview published June 25 2014 in the lead up to the penultimate Masters qualifier and Richard Randall Memorial at Dover on July 6)

Age: 20
Home Town: Rainham
Occupation: Retailer worker
Family: Boyfriend Harry
Racing career: First raced at a Rookie Banger in 2009, didn't like it

It's been a couple of weeks now since you won the Southern Championship, has the win sunk in yet?
I think I'm still on a bit of a high about it all which is mainly because it was so unexpected, I never thought I would be in a position to win a race like that. I think it finally sunk in properly when I raced at Mildenhall because that was the first time I'd started at the back of the grid and with the championship roof on the car. I started at the back in the heat races at Dover after I won the championship but, an I can't explain it, at the time it just felt like a novelty and when I did it at Mildenhall it felt more real and I think a big part of that was having the black and white roof on the car, it was really cool when we painted the roof on the car as well, well I should say when dad painted it (laughs).

Speaking of your father, he was one of the first to congratulate you on winning the championship, coming from such a racing influenced family how special was it to have your father there that day?
It meant so much to me that he was there to see me win and it was the best feeling when he was there after I'd won. I wouldn't be racing if it wasn't for him, he's done so much for my racing so as soon as I saw him I had to run and give him a massive hug. The only shame was that (brother) Dean couldn't have been there as well, that would have been brilliant as well but dad at least rang him straight away to tell him, I think he started winding him up about it at that point as well (laughs).

The Southern Championship was now a few weeks ago but what are your memories of the race?
It's a bit blurry if I'm honest. At the time I struggled to remember much about it and honestly it hasn't got much better since then! I know I was up around the top three and I was thinking how great it would be to finish on the podium, I had no thoughts that I would be able to win at that point. And then I could see I was catching Sean (Cooper) and he was obviously having problems and slowing and after that it's a bit hazy!

The penultimate bend seemed to be the place of your winning move as you found a gap between Sean and Matt Steel to take the lead, do you remember much about that?
I saw there was a small gap and I figured I had no choice but to go for it and I'm still not completely sure how I managed to do it. The rain was coming down by then so I'm assuming there must have just been a little more grip in the middle than on the outside or inside because suddenly I was shot into the lead and it was enough to win the race.

You've had a tremendous start to the season, what do you put your success to?
It's just the new car I think. Last year I had a Ford Ka which was a 1.2litre and quite slow but it was an ideal car to start with. It was my old road car and I got a new car and really wanted to try racing Bangerstox and so that was why I had that car and while it wasn't the best it was a good car for a first season. This Fiesta came up and so we built it for this year and it's just a much better car and that's made a huge difference and having a better car has definitely boosted my confidence which also makes a difference. I had three goals going into this year. Last year I scored 30 points so I wanted to try and score more this season, I wanted to get a better result than sixth which was my best result last year (Amy won her first race of the season) and also I wanted to try and qualify for the Masters Championship. So I've managed to do two of them already which means I've not just got to try and qualify for the Masters Championship. I'd love to be in that race because my dad and brother are both previous Masters Champions and while I'm not sure I'd have a chance to win the championship it would still mean a lot just to be in one.

Also this year you raced in the big van banger meeting for the first time, did you enjoy that?
Yes, it was brilliant, I was just a little disappointed that we had some problems with it and that meant I only got one proper race in it and I didn't get a chance to get Dean back for spinning me out. I would love to do it again next year so hopefully I will be able to and maybe if I do I will be able to get him back!

You recently visited Mildenhall for the Suffolk Championship, did you enjoy the racing there?
Yes, it was a good weekend, although I really struggled on the Saturday and then the car went a lot better on the Sunday. I can't explain why because we didn't change anything but on the Sunday it was going really well and it was a great weekend, I really enjoyed the racing and the social side of it and it was brilliant to see so many cars go this year.

The size of the Bangerstox entries has been a big talking point this season, what do you put that down to and have you enjoyed the season so far as a result of these turnouts?
I think allowing injection engines has made a big difference because it's made it a lot easier for people to find cars and race without making it too difficult to do that, it's now a lot easier to race in the formula and you can get out there without spending a great amount of time and money which is another reason I think so many people are racing and we have so many new drivers which is always a good sign. The bigger fields have made the racing really good I think because it's made everything much more of a challenge and it's always a bit more exciting when there are more cars compared to smaller grids.

Dover Raceway is a very unique one in our sport, your family has a long association with the raceway, what is it about the track you enjoy?
For us, it's like a home away from home. We have so many friends there and it's always a good day when you go there. When we go to other tracks we might see a few people we know but at Dover you know so many people so the social side is a massive reason I love Dover so much, just because we've built up so many friends there over the years and it's great to see them when you race there.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or mention?
My dad and Dean obviously for everything they have done for me and my racing and everyone at the yard whose helped out as well and my mum for putting up with it all.