‘My kid brother’s as fast as Hamilton’
30 July 2007 The Chilton family has now produced another exciting young talent in 16 year-old Max. Tom Chilton told Keith Collantine why ‘Mad Max’ is the next big thing. Tom Chilton’s hairstyle is an extension of his personality – exuberant and confident. When he takes his crash helmet off the mane of spiky blonde hair springs back into place like he’s a cartoon character. But the colourful personality is a front for a bona fide petrol head. In our brief chat he enthusiastically described the precise operation of the three-spring suspension arrangement in the Lola Zytek sports car he drove recently, and how he has perfected the handling of his Vauxhall Vectra touring car. For all his enthusiasm and expertise, it’s been a tough year for Tom. Team mate Fabrizio Giovanardi has bagged six victories and is chasing Jason Plato for the championship. But Chilton is yet to add to his career tally of six wins. Chilton is phlegmatic about the situation. He says: I’ve probably done about 35 per cent less testing than Fabrizio. But I’ve moved to developing the car more and we can definitely make it quicker for next year.” The Vectra was introduced at the start of 2007 but Chilton feels he’s finally mastered it: “The car’s finally going where I want it to go – it’s taken me all year to get here.” With nine races left he knows he might have to play the team role and in assist Giovanardi’s bid for the championship.
As ever, ask him a straight question, and he fires back a straight reply without flinching. He says: “In karts Max absolutely annihilates me. He’s a bit lighter than me, but he’s also really good.” But he’s not prepared to concede any ground to his brother in racing cars. He adds: “We haven’t raced each other in cars – I like to think I’d beat him because I’ve got more experience.” It’s clear that he is Max’s number one fan, as he quickly fills me in on his brother’s short racing career: “Last round he ended up finishing tenth or eleventh out of about 35 cars. To be top ten in British F3 having just turned 16 years old is quite special.” I ask him if Max can be as quick as Lewis Hamilton. He responds: “We reckon…” He grins. “Yeah.” Auto Trader links Incredible 1,000 bhp rally car
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But he’s also looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of a sports car, having raced one in Italy earlier this year. He mentions he’ll be testing alongside brother Max, so I ask him just how good he thinks his brother can be.Page 1
