This year, I was honoured to contest some of the most iconic GT events in the world: the Blancpain Endurance Series, the Bathurst 12 Hour, Nürburgring 24 Hours and 24 Hours of Spa.
The decision to join the young but well-established HTP Motorsport for my second season in GT racing turned out to be the perfect move for me. With a stunning podium finish at our first race in Bathurst the team cemented its position as a front-runner.
The team and I also competed in the high-profile Blancpain Endurance Series’ Pro Cup category this year, kicking off our European campaign at Monza where we claimed a strong fifth at the ultra-fast Italian Grand Prix venue. Racing the very fast and reliable Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, we finished every round of the Blancpain championship in the points, our best result coming with P4 at Paul Ricard.
Of course we’d like to have clinched another top-three finish in 2014, but bad luck often meant that we narrowly missed out. Still, I am delighted that we secured sixth in the Pro Cup Drivers’ standings and would like to extend my warmest thanks to the entire HTP team for their excellent work this season.
It has been an honour to share racing duties with the likes of Thomas Jaeger, Maximilian Buhk, Nico Verdonck, Maximilian Götz, Kenneth Heyer, Roland Rehfeld, and the illustrious Bernd Schneider.
As well as competing in the Blancpain Endurance Series, I had the opportunity to take part in selected VLN rounds. Having survived my maiden Nurburgring 24 Hours, I was pleased to finish my debut on the famously daunting Nordschleife in seventh.
Another highlight of the season for me was the 66th 24 Hours of Spa, which featured its usual thrills and spills. Following some bad luck and setbacks during the race, we managed to make a strong comeback and snatch P6.
Overall, this has been a very positive year and I would like to send my kindest regards to my partners Primland and Harwood International whose renewed and valuable support undoubtedly contributed to our success in 2014, both on and off the track.
Indeed, away from racing I had the privilege of flying to Virginia (USA) straight after the Blancpain Endurance Series finale to take part in the Primland Driving Experience alongside nine-time Le Mans winner and motor racing legend Tom Kristensen.
As well as enjoying the pristine Blue Ridge Mountain resort, guests were given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join myself and Tom behind the wheel of race-prepped Audi R8 LMS machines on the Virginia International Raceway.
Swapping the asphalt for the world-class golf course nestled in the heart of the region, the entire trip was a fantastic experience for all who attended. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Tom, who is one of the greatest champions to have ever raced and a down-to-earth, pleasant guy to be around.
I am excited to continue my role as an ambassador for Crans-Montana. We enjoyed a really successful Speed Event in March with our partners, Crans-Montana Tourism and Congress and Mercedes-AMG, which included a thrilling slalom ski race and a wonderful evening afterwards. I am thoroughly looking forward to another in 2015.
It is my intention to remain with HTP Motorsport for the foreseeable future after what both parties can agree was a strong first year together. What’s more, the recent partnership they have formed with Bentley opens up a lot of exciting opportunities.
After our solid second-place finish at Mount Panorama in February, I am eager to do even better at next year’s Bathurst 12 Hour and look forward to sharing my definitive 2015 plans with you at the start of the year.
Last but not least, over the past few months I have taken the time to refresh my personal website. The design is now sleeker and more modern, allowing access to the 2014 race reports, photo galleries and all the latest updates from my Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts. I hope you like the finished product!
In closing, I’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you next season.
Best wishes,
Harold
To learn more about the Primland Driving Experience, watch a taster video here
