Caterham Championship 2012 - Motorsport News names Paul Wilson as No. 3 in UK racing

Motorsport News award to Paul Wilson of No. 3 in UK racing 2012 is an accolade to Caterham racing as well as acknowledging the skill required to win this championship. With full grids across all steps of the unique motorsport ladder, the top-tier Caterham Superlight R300 championship attracts the “Best of the Best” in Caterham racing. To win the championship requires both car and driver preparation to be 100%. Paul Wilson’s five poles, seven race wins and 12 podiums from 14 races set a new precedent for this series.

Paul Wilson - A dogged determination to win

Paul Wilson showed he has the full skill set to go straight to the top with his run in the top-tier Superlight R300 title being one of the best in the series’ history. He perfected the art of pulling clear and breaking the tow from where on he could manage the gap and control the race. His five poles, seven wins and 12 podiums set a precedent for the class.

It takes perfect race craft to be able to get to the front in Caterham racing but whilst such skill can win races it may not be enough to win a championship. There were two race weekends which were defining for Wilson’s championship outcome.

The first test of Wilson’s resolve came during the mid-point of the season at Brands Hatch where an ambitious attempt at a pass ended his race one in the Paddock gravel trap. Starting from the back of the grid, Wilson stormed through the field to gain 4th place in race two.

The second test came at the next race weekend at the Nürburgring GP circuit. As an unknown circuit the challenge was increased by dry testing being followed by a very wet qualifying and race one. During race one Wilson was content to shadow guest driver Darren Burke to second place but gaining fastest lap in the process maintained his points advantage over the other championship contenders. In race two Wilson took full benefit of his second place grid position to gain one of his seven defining championship wins.

Seven wins, 12 podiums

Wilson supreme - wet or dry