Donington July 20th

Early start on Sunday. Donington is about as far as I can cope with going without staying over the night before. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive. I don't go that far for my holidays!

Having replaced the clutch (just in case!) I was feeling quite confident that I would get a result this time. I have never raced here before, although I did do a track day here in my old Integrale. Not that that counts for much except that I know which direction to go.

Oh yes, one bizarre thing in scrutineering. I was told that the mesh on the bonnet was too coarse. The holes need to be less than 1mm wide. This is what, my 7th race...and they have only just noticed? I reckon they make it up as they go along! I know, I know, they're only doing their job..to keep us all safe... So I humbly promise to sort it out for next time (when they will no doubt find something else!).

Anyway, as it turns out, that was the least of my problems.

Practice time. I'm very tentative, finding my way round gradually. But what's this? The return of the dodgy electics on a left hander... and there are a few hard left handers here.
I manage to do almost a full practice session, but on the last lap the cutting out gets the better of the car and the electics pack in completely. So my trip back to the paddock is on the end of a tow rope (I think that is the first time that's happened).

No surprise that I'm almost at the back of the grid. I did a 1:25s. The lead cars are doing 1:19s.
Still, not too bad for a dodgy car and a new track, but I have a lot of catching up to do.
First problem though is to fix the car. Fortunately for me, Andy Bates is on hand. He immediately identifies a dodgy ignition switch. Even I can replace that, so that's that sorted.

So with renewed optimism I am back in the running. I actually do a not too bad start this time. I'm right in there fighting at the first corner with the pack. I manage to avoid Tim spinning in front of me and am feeling good. I had a bit of a moment at the end of the straight which turns into a tight 'essess'. I brake very late and get all locked up, then get lots of oversteer into the corner. I'm sure the crowd appreciated it. Not very quick though.

A couple of laps and I'm really getting the hang of this. I'm actually catching a pack of class C cars up front. Not a trace of the cut out problem. I can tell where I'm getting it right, and perhaps more importantly, I know that I can gain time in the 'Craner Curves' if I can be a bit braver on the brakes. This is great.
I should know by now not to enjoy this too much. Lap 6 - Redgate corner - complete electrics failure. Bugger!!!
I can do nothing other than cruise to a stop on the grass. I'm gutted. I frantically try to fiddle with the ignition switch thinking that might fix it. Fat chance.
So another tow back to the paddock.
Then guess what. As soon as I'm off the tow rope I try the ignition again and it starts. Aaaaaah.
Now I have no idea what the problem is.

Anyway, looking on the bright side, I managed a 1:21.6. The winner did a 1:19.6 so I'm 2 seconds off the pace of the leaders. Not too bad for a novice I reckon. The good thing is I can see where some of that 2 seconds could come from. Also, had I finished where I went out I would have got another 3rd in class, and I'm getting close to a top ten finish on the track. Well, you've got to have a goal haven't you!

So back to the drawing board with the electrics. Hopefully I'll be able to get to Silverstone in August.

After Brands

If you read my entry for Brands and got a sense of my dissapointment - it gets worse.
I took the car in to PDQ. They rang a couple of days later and said there was nothing wrong with the clutch, although the transfer box was out of gear (that's the special reverse gear box - the original gear box on the bike doesn't have a reverse).
So basically the car didn't have drive because it wasn't in gear!!!

How stupid did I feel. There are no words...

Now I'm having a real crisis of confidence that I can do this at all. Is it possible for a muppet like me to expect to compete in motor racing with experienced people who really know what they are doing.

Well, I'm not giving up so I might as well grin and bear the ridicule. Donington here I come!