60 second interview with Lauren Caffell

We talk to Lauren Caffell, a Formula G driver in the Street class. When she’s not racing or drifting her MX5, she’s running Diverse Modified, a car club for people who love anything modified! Let’s hear about her experience so far after joining us for the first time in 2022.

John Birrell (JB): Hey Lauren! Thanks for talking to us today. Tell us a bit about yourself and, of course, the car!

Lauren Caffell (LC): I bought the car on a bit of a whim in January 2022, I wanted a cheap little drift car that I could take to practice days and still drive around in. I did my first drift day in it in May 2022, and absolutely loved it!

She is a 1.8 VVT MK2.5 MX5 — I have a fairly basic set up of a welded diff, hydraulic handbrake, modified hubs for extra lock, cold air intake, GC Fabrications rollbar, and HSD coilovers. I decided at the beginning of 2023 that I wanted to make her pretty, so I purchased a full Firefly Duce Kit from Firefly Speedshop, then she went into CSA Custom Works for the arches to be cut out, the kit to be fitted and a full respray in May. Major shoutout to Curtis (CSA Custom Works) for the quick turnaround getting her ready for rounds one and two!

JB: You started competing in Formula G last year - what made you want to have a go?

LC: I saw a post on Instagram and had a look into it, thought I’d give it a go, came along to rounds one and two at Santa Pod, and I was hooked! So much so that I ended up doing the entire season!

JB: Having only recently started drifting, how did you find the switch to gymkhana?

LC: Surprisingly not as hard as I expected it to be! The main challenges I found were consistency and proximity to the obstacles; I had a rather big mental block of not wanting to touch any obstacles or damage the car as I'd driven it to the event, but once I'd gotten past that, I found that I was getting faster and putting in more consistent runs!

JB: How has your experience gained over the last year changed your driving style? Has gymkhana helped improve your drifting at all?

LC: I’ve found that it has massively improved my driving style in all aspects, both on the road and on track. It's given me a lot more confidence in my own abilities, and I feel like I've learnt a lot about the car and how it reacts. It's definitely helped to improve my drifting, I have a lot more faith in throwing it into a corner and knowing how to keep it planted, where I can be more/less agressive, and it has massively aided my transitions!

JB: What would you say have been your must have mods for gymkhana?

LC: I'd say my must have mods are the welded diff and the hydraulic handbrake.

JB: How have you found the atmosphere in the paddock?

LC: The atmosphere is amazing, it's like one big family! Everyone is so lovely and welcoming, and will always help one another out if needed!

JB: What was your highlight of the 2022 season?

LC: I think it'll have to be finally beating Stephen Gretton in a battle at round five! After drawing Stephen for every battle I'd had the entire season, to finally win one was mega! I remember when they pointed to me I was sitting there thinking, no surely not, then getting back to the pits and parking up, and Colgate coming over and telling me I needed to get back in the queue!

JB: Favourite obstacle?

LC: I absolutely love the 'washing machine', I feel it really tests precision having to keep a tight doughnut inside the fencing.

JB: Finally - any hints or tips for anyone thinking of giving it a go?

LC: Honestly, do it! You won't regret it! The events are brilliant, it's such a lovely atmosphere, everyone is so helpful and friendly, plus, it's a fantastic test of speed and precision!

JB: Thanks so much again Lauren, we look forward to seeing you back in action at Brands Hatch in September!