Difference between revisions of "Philip Cullen"

Revision as of 06:57, 5 June 2011

Philip Cullen

Superleague Career
Nationality	Irish
Active Years
Team(s)
Grand Prix
Championships
Wins
Podium finishes
Pole positions
Fastest laps
First Grand Prix
First Win
Last Win
Last Grand Prix

Philip Cullen is an Irish sim-racing driver currently inactive at the GPVWC. He competed full-time in the current incarnation of the GPVWC in 2009, driving in both the 2009 Superleague season and the 2009 Masters Series season, finishing runner up to team-mate Adam Rouse. He competed in the F1VWC on and off from late 2005 until the leagues demise in 2008.

Cullen is known for his vocal views on a range of issues during his time in the league and currently remains at arms length from the GPVWC after leaving upon completion of the inaugural Masters Series. He briefly returned in the 2011 Superleague season to help his friends Phil Perkins and Rouse with car evaluation duties at Triple-Double Racing. Currently, the Irishman runs an unofficial alternate commentary service during Superleague races along with Ryan McConkey, called the "Rated-R Red Button" Room.

GPVWC Superleague

2009

Philip found himself with a Superleague seat on the eve of the 2009 Australian Grand Prix, having only recently moved to the rFactor platform. He took part as a free agent at the final Donington Park pre-season test. Despite being unsure of his competitiveness, numerous offers were tabled to the Irish. Cullen eventually plumped for a race-by-race deal with Synergetic Motorsports offered by fellow Irishman Mal McKee.

The season was marred with reliability issues for the Synergetic car, coupled with as what Cullen would describe as 'dodgy driving standards'. He would only cross the line twice in ten events. On both occasions that he did finish the race, he would bring the car home inside the points.

His season came to a head at the Bahrain Grand Prix where a formation lap fiasco committed by Dave-Carr Smith would lead to the Irishman becoming extremely vocal about driving ethics and standards post-race. After the summer break following Montreal, he would leave the Superleague and focus on the Masters Series.

2011

Two years after leaving the GPVWC, Philip would return on the request of his long-time friends, Phil Perkins and Adam Rouse. The pair were interested in the venerable Irishman's opinion on the Triple-Double Racing cars potential and the opportunity to earn additional development points for the team.

Cullen would appear at the season test at Sepang, finishing the session faster than both Perkins and Rouse. His most recent appearance was during the free practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix.

When asked why he would return to the league despite what he still saw as 'philosophical' issues on the way things are done, he said:

"Over the years, Phil and Rousey have gone above and beyond whenever I asked them for something. There was never a point either of them said 'no' to a request for help. The least I could do is return the favor. Thats what friends do. I came back for them, not for the GPVWC."

GPVWC Masters Series

2009

Aquarius Racing

Upon the announcement of the GPVWC Masters Series, Cullen decided he would race for his own single-team entry, Aquarius Racing. He missed the opening around at Laguna Seca due to other commitments before making his Masters debut at Monza. A strong run in Race One saw him miss out on his first ever podium before the mixed fortunes from the reverse grid in Race Two would only see him finish seventh.

MMC Racing

Cullen would win three events in the inaugural Masters Series.

After Monza, the Philip spoke at length with Ryan McConkey. The American offered Cullen a slot with MMC Racing to add a third car to MMC Racing, allowing the team to take the fight to Constant Racing. The move immediately paid dividends with a first career podium at Surfers Paradise. Along with McConkey and Adam Rouse, MMC Racing quickly became a dominant force in the Masters Series.

Philip would go on to score career highs in the inaugural season. The race meeting at Cadwell Park would see the Irishman score his first ever sim-racing victory after a duel with team-mate Rouse. His season would end on the highest note, as he dominated the challenging Mount Panorama Circuit, sweeping the event.

Cullen would finish runner-up in the championship after competing in eight of the nine race meetings. MMC Racing dominated the Constructors standings, almost doubling the points total of Constant Racing in second.

Complete GPVWC Masters Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)