Parouty has clearly demonstrated this year that he has the attributes required to succeed in motor racing – tenacity, dedication and natural ability – with two wins in the inaugural double-header race weekend in early spring.Just a month earlier Parouty had signed up to compete in the British Racing Drivers Club championship that is organised and run by the Silverstone Racing School and which is recognised by many as the first step towards a motorsport career.Parouty moved to the UK earlier this year to further his racing career, having been offered several racing opportunities in preceeding years – with a team racing in Formula Renault championships in France; with team Audi Palmer with La Fillier racing school at Le Mans and with the Winfield racing school – but was unable to take them up because he simply could not find sufficient sponsorship.In the end it has been down to Parouty’s own unshakeable belief that he can, and will, be a top racing driver that has brought his successes this season.Since that first race he has been on the podium in every race he has finished and clocked two further wins, three second places and one third.
He has also regularly driven the fastest lap and had a number of pole positions.Parouty has not had it all his own way, though.By the time of the Oulton Park event early in August he was so far ahead of his rivals on points that all he had to do was to finish in at least third place to clinch the title.It was not to be.
In his own words he was ‘over-anxious’ and ended up badly damaging his car’s suspension after he got too close to the car in front.The damage meant he could not finish the race, nor continue the following day, allowing his closest rivals in the championship, Rei Yamaguchi and Matt Shawyer, to close in on his lead.Although Parouty still leads the overall table with 117 points, he needs six points to put him out of their reach and secure the title for himself.The championships title brings a significant prize – the promise of support for the 2004 racing season.Parouty’s race is at Brands Hatch on Saturday in support of the British F3/GT Championship and starts at 4.35 pm.
