Q:
Do you have any particularly good memories from your time at Carlin?
Gary Bonnor:
There’s probable two occasions that really stand out. Being on pole at Macau with Narain was pretty special. Seeing the car pull up on the front spot, and being able to think we’d done it, it’s a great feeling for a team. In the end, what takes part after the lights go out is pretty much down to the driver – and of course a large degree of luck. But as a mechanic, you can feel proud that you’ve done enough to get that car out there on pole. At that moment, you’re working on the fastest car out there. So that was a great feeling, especially having Takuma [Sato] beside us.
Spa 2003 was pretty special too, with Alan van der Merwe. The weekend quite frankly had been a complete nightmare. We had an engine change, we had a head gasket go, radiators started leaking….not necessarily things that were anyone’s fault, just a combination of things that happened. After each session there was a problem we had to fix. Despite everything, we ended up winning both races, but it was that kind of skin of your teeth type stuff that made it so rewarding.
Q:
Which drivers have impressed you the most or stood out for you at Carlin?
Gary Bonnor:
I’ve got to say two people are lost talents, Anthony [Davidson] and Alan [van der Merwe]. Alan is probably the hardest working driver I’ve ever worked with and it’s a crime really that that hasn’t been rewarded with a drive in the top level of the sport. He was never given the break that he really deserved. I think he proved he has what it takes - he was beating drivers that have gone on to win races high up in the sport and it’s a shame Alan was not given the opportunity to do the same.
I’d have to say that
Anthony Davidson is honestly one of the nicest, down to earth drivers I’ve ever met. He’s a great driver as well.
![Carlin team manager Gary Bonnor with Trevor Carlin and engineer Matt Callaghan [Pic credit: Kendra Abay]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/401728.jpg)
