Woody Foster, BTCC race mechanic.
Could you tell me a bit about your background and how you became a technician for Exelr8 Racing?
I started with a Modern Apprenticeship at a Nissan dealership. By the age of 21, I had completed my master’s tech with Nissan, including EV and NHPC training for GTR’s, which is specific for handling them. I spent 13 years with Nissan before getting involved in race weekends. I started emailing around different teams, and once you’re in the paddock, you’re in because everyone knows each other. It’s a close-knit community, so opportunities arise naturally. I eventually connected with Justina at Exelr8 Racing and went for an interview at Brands Hatch Mini Festival looking to do some voluntary work but they took me on. I began working on the cars, and seven years later, here I am.
Many of our readers are technicians and garage owners. I’m sure a lot of them would love to be in your shoes. What’s the journey like from working in a local garage to working in motorsport?
I always wanted to get into motorsport when I was younger, but I knew I needed to reach a certain technical level first. So, I focused on learning everything I could at the dealership, including processes, diagnostics, and really understanding cars. That knowledge has been invaluable in motorsport. I started volunteering on race weekends, which is something many teams appreciate. If you show up, help out, and prove yourself, you can get picked up from there. It’s about putting yourself out there and showing you’re serious.
Can you tell me a bit about the car itself? How is it built and what’s it like working on it?
Generally, the car is designed and built by our team of engineers. We have a specialist who handles the cages, for example, so they are standardised across the board. The front and rear ends of the car, along with the subframes, are detachable and interchangeable, so we can fit a subframe from one car onto another if needed. It’s all about flexibility and efficiency.
Working closely with the driver, what specific responsibilities do you have in ensuring the car performs its best over the weekend?
I liaise with the engineer, who gives us a setup sheet detailing how they want the car to handle, based on input from the driver and track conditions. The main thing for me is safety and to ensure the driver is safe the entire time. Staying on top of maintenance is crucial.
Can you walk us through a typical race weekend, from when you arrive to when you pack up and go?
We usually arrive on Thursday to set up the garages and flat patches for the cars. Friday and Saturday are about making sure everything we’ve prepared in the workshop translates to the circuit. We make any necessary adjustments for changing conditions like rain or dry weather.
What are some of the biggest technical challenges you face on a BTCC weekend?
The biggest challenge is time constraints. We have a solid team, with three guys on the car at all times and a tyre specialist. But if we’re at a track like Croft, we have an hour turnaround between races. If there’s any damage or issues, everything has to run like clockwork. Sometimes, when you get to parc fermé, you have even less time to get the car ready for the next race.
How do you keep up to date with the latest advancements in tools and technology? And how do sponsors like Draper Tools support you?
The tools and equipment provided by Draper Tools are specific to the car. Everything is organised and laid out in a way that’s efficient, with all the extensions and sockets ready to go. It’s good quality and does the job well. Draper also keeps us updated with the latest tools before they hit the shelves. If there’s something new, or if we need something specific on race weekends, they supply us with what we need for the next time.
What’s the most essential tool in your arsenal, and how does Draper Tools help with that?
I’d say spanners, particularly the 9/16’s and 7/16’s. You can do a lot with just two spanners on a touring car. You can remove one side and the other as all the fixings are the same.
Motorsport can be unpredictable. Can you share an instance where you had to make quick decisions or repairs under pressure?
Honestly, most race weekends have those moments. There’s always a point where something is touch and go, and you need to concentrate on one area while anticipating potential issues in another. It’s about staying ahead of the problems and addressing them before they become race-ending.
Looking ahead, what are your goals as a race technician, both for yourself and for the continued success of the team?
Right now, I’m just enjoying what I do. I used to be a mechanic for the Minis, but now I’m working with touring cars, and I’m happy with where I am. I love my job and the social aspect of it. The environment and the people make it all worthwhile. I’d love to get into F1 someday, maybe as a front jack man, but for now, I’m happy doing what I’m doing. If an opportunity comes up in the future, I’ll see where it takes me.
