Sutton Coldfield motorsport driver Sam Harvey is heading into the new season with confidence, momentum, and a clear target in mind: the championship title.
With four years of racing experience now behind him, Harvey’s journey has been one of steady progression. “It all started with a bit of sim racing during lockdown,” he says. “From there, we worked our way up through the ranks.”
Sam Harvey
That path has taken him from the Ginetta GT5 Challenge, where he spent two seasons building experience, into Porsche competition, where he made an immediate impact. A vice championship finish in his first year in GT4 Clubsport marked him out as a serious contender, before stepping up again into the flagship GT4 class in the newer RS car.
Reflecting on last season, Harvey is quietly satisfied with his performance. “I managed to finish fourth overall,” he explains. “For my first year in the championship against a lot of experienced drivers, I couldn’t really complain.”
Now, after a busy winter of preparation, the focus has shifted firmly to what lies ahead. “We’ve been working hard over the winter and we’ve managed to get back out on the grid this year,” he says. “Hopefully we’ll be going for the championship and be right in the title fight.”
Despite the competitive ambitions, there is also a genuine enthusiasm about simply returning to racing. “Honestly, I’m just looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and getting some laps under my belt,” Harvey admits. “It’s been since last November since I last drove the car in anger, so there might be a few cobwebs to blow off.”
When it comes to favourite circuits, Brands Hatch remains a standout. “The Grand Prix layout is absolutely amazing,” he says. “The back section feels like a rollercoaster, you’re going up and down through what feels like a forest, and at 140 or 150 miles an hour, it’s unreal.”
A key part of Harvey’s progress has been the consistency and support of his team, whom he has been with since the very beginning of his career. “The team camaraderie is great, we’re like a family now,” he says. “They’ve worked just as hard as I have to get me back out on the grid this year, so we’re all pushing for the same goal.”
With two new teammates joining the line up this season, there is a renewed sense of energy within the garage. “It should be a really good mix, and we’ll learn a lot from each other, have some fun, and hopefully get some strong results.”
Preparation for racing goes far beyond the track. Physically, he trains almost every day to cope with the demands of endurance racing. “There’s a lot of cardio and strength work involved,” he explains. “Inside the car it can get up to nearly 50 degrees, so core strength, neck strength, and endurance are all really important.”
Alongside that, simulator work plays a crucial role in sharpening his mental approach. “I spend a lot of time on the simulator, getting as many laps in as possible and working on racecraft before getting to the circuit,” he says. “It’s pretty intense, but it has to be done.”
Looking ahead, Sam is clear about his ambitions. “We’re definitely aiming for first place in the championship,” he says. “If I’m not in the top three, then something’s gone wrong.”
With strong results at the end of last season, including race wins and pole positions, he knows the pace is there. However, he is also realistic about the challenge ahead. “There’s one main competitor who’s done the championship twice already, so this will be his third year,” he explains. “It’ll probably be between me and him, but there are always other drivers who can come in and challenge as well.”
Still, his mindset remains simple and determined: “It’s going to be close, but we’re going for gold.”
