I thought I would take a few moments to reflect on my season this year since it has been the first year that I feel that I really became a contender in what is a very competitive championship series .
This was the first year that I did a test day to actually do some setting up of the car rather than just learning the track. I have Tim Gray to thank for what was a very useful day at Snetterton getting all the wheels pointing in the right direction, not to mention a few very helpful driving tips.
So my season started in March at Snetterton with mixed fortunes. The day was marked by some weird weather with rain at one end of the circuit and dry at the other. I had some great racing whilst it was dry, actually managing pull some overtaking moves, but managed the throw it all away when the rain came with a big spin at the bomb hole on the last lap which nearly took Austen and Phil with me. Didn't get to feature much on the Motors TV coverage this time, but I did get a picture in the club mag. Mind you the picture was of me somewhat off line through Russell accompanied by the comment 'Walker goes walkabout'. I would have preferred something more along the lines of 'Walker bravely pushes the limits' but I guess that didn't quite fit!
So still feeling that I have a lot to learn, especially in the wet, we moved on to Brands for an April double header.
This was a lovely sunny April weekend. My races were really mid field battles with class B and C cars as most of class A is now mid engined and right up at the front. Still I had some great racing despite ending up a rather lonely 12th on the Sunday when My family were there to watch!
We then had a long wait until June for the second Brands double header of the year which turned out to be far more interesting for me.
The June Saturday was looking threatening weather wise, but qualifying was dry and I ended up 10th on the grid. The 5th row is my best grid position so far so I was pleased with that, but whilst sitting on the grid it started raining so my excitement faded a little. As it happened I needn't have worried. At the start I must have found a bit of a dry line round the outside of Paddock and, managed to gain places which, coupled with a rare error by Paul in the Contour when he span coming out of Paddock, I found myself running in 8th place on the first lap, and 2nd in class! I managed to trespass on that high ground for about 4 laps before Doug and then Tony put me back in my place, but I finished 10th and 3rd in class. I was chuffed to bits with that, but also with the fact that I had knocked nearly a second off my previous best time with a 52.5. That raised some eyebrows in the paddock afterwards and it was a great feeling to be improving so much from last time out here.
I had high hopes of repeating that performance on Sunday. Unfortunately I messed up the start and my race was then a dice with Phil's class C car at the back of the field. It was great, close racing, but frustrating as I knew I should have been able to get past but I just wasn't brave enough to make a move.
That was the first weekend that I made use of my new camper, and it was great to be able to be part of the social scene in the paddock on the Saturday night. The 'Bongo' came in very useful a few times this year.
Next up was Cadwell Park in June. It was my first time here and I entered the allcomers as well to get some practice in. I think I have discovered my new favourite track. What a fantastic circuit, with its undulations and tight sections coupled with some very fast sections. I loved it. My races were exciting because, having qualified at the back of the grid, by the time the RGB races came I had improved my times quite a bit and had a great race with lots of overtaking. Got some great coverage on Motors TV this time. I also had a very exciting allcomers race in which I was running 2nd in until some early damage caused me to retire.
We had the barbecue in aid of the marshals' charity on the Saturday evening which I think is my fondest memory of the social events this year with good food, reasonably warm weather and of course excellent company.
Next up was Pembrey and probably the less said about this the better! A disasterous weekend for me. I was already in trouble with my wife for going racing the day before we went on holiday and leaving her to do all the packing. I was only going to do the Saturday anyway, but signed up for an extra early practice session to learn the track. On coming in from that I thought something was sounding a bit rattly under the cam cover and sure enough, Andy Bates diagnosed a dropping valve which effectively ended my weekend there and then. Not only that, It turns out my engine was modified (and had been since I bought the car - I had never checked!) so I've been running a hooky motor for the last 3 years. Now everyone thinks I'm a right dodgy character.
As it turned out, the engine needed some fairly major work so the best way to get me back on track for Silverstone was to get a complete new engine and then fix the old one and sell it. So that's what I did and, thanks to Tim again, I got to Silverstone the weekend after my holiday.
Silverstone in August - of course it was wet!
At least qualifying was dry and I managed to improve on my previous best time so I was pleased that the new engine was no disadvantage. The race was very wet though and once again my weakness in the wet shined through with a couple of spins. Good fun, but definitely more wet practice needed.
So my final weekend for the RGB was Snetterton in September. I signed up for the extra non-championship race as well so it was a busy weekend.
Once again, some really close racing and some great dices with Bob, Austen and Dan. There was also a very close shave with Ben outbraking himself behind me and very nearly collecting me as he went straight on into the essess. Thankfully I was blissfully unaware of how close it was at the time but it looks scary on the video!
That weekend also served to demonstrate that, whilst my own times are definitely improving, I seem to be going backwards on the grid as everyone else seems to be getting even quicker. I can now see that the Westfield isn't the ideal shape for circuits with very long straights and those pesky Furys are far quicker, even with considerably less power.
So. all in all, one broken engine aside, I had a really enjoyable season. My driving has definitely improved and I can see that, given a circuit I know well and a little bit of luck, I can be up there in the top 10.
I know most people in club racing are in it not just for the driving but for the joy of building your own car and making it work the best you can. For, me it's all about the driving. I feel out of my league when it comes to building and setting up the car, but what I can do is push myself as far as the car will allow and I really feel that, this year, I've started to get close to that. I know that some of my fellow competitors have more driving talent than I could ever hope for, and most have more technical skill than me, but I feel really honoured to be even playing in the same field as them and, just occasionally, gaining their respect as a driver.
Long may it continue - whatever I might be driving next season.
Saturday 13 November 2010
Monday 1 November 2010
Birkett, Silverstone 2010
Back to Silverstone for the Birkett. It's a 6 hour relay race. That's 6 cars per team, all on the Grand Prix circuit. The 'RGB Pups' were back in action. Only 4 of us though (Bob, Austen, Ben, me and our team manager Tim C) so we were up for plenty of track time.
I really enjoy this event because we rarely get the chance to race with such a wide variety of other cars. We get lots of overtaking and watching out for being overtaken. Plus this year we get to race on the Grand Prix circuit so I was learning a new track as well (missed out on the test session the day before, but that's another very boring story).
I also really enjoy the social the night before (could have been a tad warmer but we suffer for our art!).
So it all started well enough with the first sessions being dry. After 30 mins or so I was really starting to get the hang of it. I love it when you're learning a new track and you start to realise when you are really on it and pushing your limits. Not that I ever got a totally clear lap, but the overtaking is all part of the fun. For the record, my best lap, which I assume was in that first session, was a 2:12. Based on the fact that Austen did a 2:07 I was either driving like a muppet, or never got a clear dry lap. I prefer the latter! (Big respect by the way Austen!!).
Anyway, things took a slight turn for the worse towards the end of my first session when my rear brakes seemed to give up completely which meant the fronts were locking up everywhere. That's not a good thing by the way. Very scary actually especially after the long straights.
So much of my time between sessions was spent trying to bleed the brakes (thanks Ken, by the way). As it turned out, it didn't help much. To make things worse my next session was very wet. I had a bit of braking but had to pump like mad which meant I miss judged a few corners. Managed to stay on the track though.
I think my driving in the wet is improving though. There were points on the track where loads of cars were spinning where there was so little grip, but I managed to stay on. I have always spun at Copse in the wet on previous visits to Silverstone but I think I've cracked it this time!
My last session was half dry but my brake problems persisted. I thought I would stick with it as I thought I was managing to maintain a reasonable pace. I then has a slight altercation with a Clio cup car. It came past me on the new pit straight and then pulled in in front of me and braked hard into the left hander right in front of me. My lack of brakes meant I ploughed into the back of him. We both carried on without really noticing, but the impact rather detroyed my nose cone. Fortunately nothing worse than that.
So after all that, and various other troubles with my team mates, we were a long way down the results list. But it just goes to show, it's not all about the result. I have nver had a wider grin on my face after my stints. It is just the best fun...(in Jeremy Clarkson voice)...in the world!
I can't wait 'till next year.
I'll do a review of my year here shortly, and will be doing the awards dinner in January so see y'all again soon.
I really enjoy this event because we rarely get the chance to race with such a wide variety of other cars. We get lots of overtaking and watching out for being overtaken. Plus this year we get to race on the Grand Prix circuit so I was learning a new track as well (missed out on the test session the day before, but that's another very boring story).
I also really enjoy the social the night before (could have been a tad warmer but we suffer for our art!).
So it all started well enough with the first sessions being dry. After 30 mins or so I was really starting to get the hang of it. I love it when you're learning a new track and you start to realise when you are really on it and pushing your limits. Not that I ever got a totally clear lap, but the overtaking is all part of the fun. For the record, my best lap, which I assume was in that first session, was a 2:12. Based on the fact that Austen did a 2:07 I was either driving like a muppet, or never got a clear dry lap. I prefer the latter! (Big respect by the way Austen!!).
Anyway, things took a slight turn for the worse towards the end of my first session when my rear brakes seemed to give up completely which meant the fronts were locking up everywhere. That's not a good thing by the way. Very scary actually especially after the long straights.
So much of my time between sessions was spent trying to bleed the brakes (thanks Ken, by the way). As it turned out, it didn't help much. To make things worse my next session was very wet. I had a bit of braking but had to pump like mad which meant I miss judged a few corners. Managed to stay on the track though.
I think my driving in the wet is improving though. There were points on the track where loads of cars were spinning where there was so little grip, but I managed to stay on. I have always spun at Copse in the wet on previous visits to Silverstone but I think I've cracked it this time!
My last session was half dry but my brake problems persisted. I thought I would stick with it as I thought I was managing to maintain a reasonable pace. I then has a slight altercation with a Clio cup car. It came past me on the new pit straight and then pulled in in front of me and braked hard into the left hander right in front of me. My lack of brakes meant I ploughed into the back of him. We both carried on without really noticing, but the impact rather detroyed my nose cone. Fortunately nothing worse than that.
So after all that, and various other troubles with my team mates, we were a long way down the results list. But it just goes to show, it's not all about the result. I have nver had a wider grin on my face after my stints. It is just the best fun...(in Jeremy Clarkson voice)...in the world!
I can't wait 'till next year.
I'll do a review of my year here shortly, and will be doing the awards dinner in January so see y'all again soon.
Thursday 23 September 2010
Snetterton September 10
Snetterton again. I've booked in for the extra race with the bikesports so it's a double practice and two races in a day. I'm up there on the Saturday night with the trusty Bongo.
Turns out the Bikesports is oversubscribed so RBG have got an additional race all to ourselves.
So it's a busy day, but great fun. I have a two epic battles especially with Austen, Dan and Bob. There is some great video footage, especially of the first race. (see end of this post) Watch out for Ben flying past as he forgets to break at the end of the straight (about 6mins in). Oh and notice how someone nicked Dan's black 'stealth' fury while he wasn't looking and drives it like he stole it.
I think it is quite interesting that my times over the weekend are my personal best at 1:19.15 (previous best was about 19.4), (so clearly the new engine is no dissadvantage), but I seem to be much slower than Bob's fury down the straight, and I can only just keep up with Dan's class B fury. It was also interesting talking to Austen after the first race. I could get past him on the straight, but he could then get in my slipstream and stay with me. He said he could almost lift off and still stay with me! It just shows how much drag my car generates. It's no wonder I'm slower than the fury's. (Did you see what I did there - racing driver excuse no.37!)
So I really enjoyed the weekend. Fantastically close racing, awesome fun, and a real improvement in my own performance.
The downside though, as I think about it now, is that my car is very clearly hopelessly uncompetitive as a class A car, even against the other front engined cars (ie the fury/phoenix type cars). I struggle to keep up with class C furys never mind class A ones. So a serious rethink is needed for next year, especially since I reckon my own driving capabilities have probably now caught up with the car's performance (or at least I would have to be a far more talented driver to go even a tiny bit quicker now).
I quite fancy having a go with a class C car - that would really show up my driving inadequacies and hopefully force me to go faster!
Anyway, that's all for next season. I'm going to do the Birkett and then work out what I do next year. So if anyone out there wants a Megabusa - get in touch!
Enjoy the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7fM_Qm6y9A&feature=player_embedded
Turns out the Bikesports is oversubscribed so RBG have got an additional race all to ourselves.
So it's a busy day, but great fun. I have a two epic battles especially with Austen, Dan and Bob. There is some great video footage, especially of the first race. (see end of this post) Watch out for Ben flying past as he forgets to break at the end of the straight (about 6mins in). Oh and notice how someone nicked Dan's black 'stealth' fury while he wasn't looking and drives it like he stole it.
I think it is quite interesting that my times over the weekend are my personal best at 1:19.15 (previous best was about 19.4), (so clearly the new engine is no dissadvantage), but I seem to be much slower than Bob's fury down the straight, and I can only just keep up with Dan's class B fury. It was also interesting talking to Austen after the first race. I could get past him on the straight, but he could then get in my slipstream and stay with me. He said he could almost lift off and still stay with me! It just shows how much drag my car generates. It's no wonder I'm slower than the fury's. (Did you see what I did there - racing driver excuse no.37!)
So I really enjoyed the weekend. Fantastically close racing, awesome fun, and a real improvement in my own performance.
The downside though, as I think about it now, is that my car is very clearly hopelessly uncompetitive as a class A car, even against the other front engined cars (ie the fury/phoenix type cars). I struggle to keep up with class C furys never mind class A ones. So a serious rethink is needed for next year, especially since I reckon my own driving capabilities have probably now caught up with the car's performance (or at least I would have to be a far more talented driver to go even a tiny bit quicker now).
I quite fancy having a go with a class C car - that would really show up my driving inadequacies and hopefully force me to go faster!
Anyway, that's all for next season. I'm going to do the Birkett and then work out what I do next year. So if anyone out there wants a Megabusa - get in touch!
Enjoy the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7fM_Qm6y9A&feature=player_embedded
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Silverstone August 2010 - It's August, of course it's raining!
So Silverstone again.
My car beat me up there this time, care of Tim Gray who has worked hard on my behalf to source a new engine and fit it and deliver it, fully garaged and cleaned. I could get used to that!
I got up there Friday evening (I'll get my money's worth out of the Bongo if it kills me!). Loads of the guys had been testing so were well settled in. If course there was plenty of opportunity for piss taking as a result of my hooky motor. All in good spirits though. I don't think anyone really believes that I was trying to cheat. Still, I reckon whatever anyone thinks, the test will be in whether I can go just as quick with the new engine as with the old.
So, fortunately for me the qualifying was dry. I thought the car was running really well. I couldn't really tell any difference. I was having a bit of a dice with Phil's car driven by Marcus Pye. I was obviously only marginally quicker over a lap, but much slower through Luffield complex. I put that down to Marcus being a much better driver. Nevertheless, I am sure the Westy is right on the limit through there as I have to hang on as it understeers into the Luffield hairpin and then get lots of oversteer on the way out. I reckon I could brake a bit later though at the end of the straight.
Anyway, I did a 1:6:97 which is quicker than I've ever done here before even in a race. So I would put some of that down to me being a tad more experienced than last year, but I'm very pleased that I am clearly not disadvantaged by the new engine. Thank goodness for that!
Our race was late in the day and at started to shower about an hour before we were out so it looked like it would be wet. And boy, was it! Reminded me of the Birkett last year.
My start, on a soaking track was spectacularly terrible. Despite a green flag lap which in theiry should put some heat in the tyres, as soon as the lights went out for the start my wheels were spinning and I reckon I was in third before I actually started moving forward, by which time of course everyone had gone past me!
Copse was a bit chaotic as Gary span and we all filed passed. I made it to Luffied without spinning but then got three abreast through there and the lightest of touches caused a spin. So back to the back again. I did manage to gain some gound over the next few laps. I was even catching Gary for a while. I thought I might even get past him at one point as my confidence in the wet was building. I then blew it away when I had a rapidly gaining Paul Rickers in my mirrors and pushed a little too hard through Copse. I span, stalled, and struggled to get going again as the field all came passed. I did at least manage to get back a couple of places before the finish, but basically it was a very dissapointing race.
My nephew, Olly, had turned up to watch. It was a shame that he had to see me on one of my worst days, but actually he was very complimentary. Still, he's family. It's compulsory to be nice!
Looking at the times, I did a 1:22 best lap which wasn't too disgraceful. My last wet lap time here was 1:32. All I've got to do now is keep it pointing in the right direction and I might get a decent result.
So on we go. I hope to be at Snetterton.
My old engine is with AB who is taking it apart to see what's salvageable. We'll have to see, Next season's budget rather depends on it!
My car beat me up there this time, care of Tim Gray who has worked hard on my behalf to source a new engine and fit it and deliver it, fully garaged and cleaned. I could get used to that!
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| Pride of place in the Tim Gray camp. |
So, fortunately for me the qualifying was dry. I thought the car was running really well. I couldn't really tell any difference. I was having a bit of a dice with Phil's car driven by Marcus Pye. I was obviously only marginally quicker over a lap, but much slower through Luffield complex. I put that down to Marcus being a much better driver. Nevertheless, I am sure the Westy is right on the limit through there as I have to hang on as it understeers into the Luffield hairpin and then get lots of oversteer on the way out. I reckon I could brake a bit later though at the end of the straight.
Anyway, I did a 1:6:97 which is quicker than I've ever done here before even in a race. So I would put some of that down to me being a tad more experienced than last year, but I'm very pleased that I am clearly not disadvantaged by the new engine. Thank goodness for that!
Our race was late in the day and at started to shower about an hour before we were out so it looked like it would be wet. And boy, was it! Reminded me of the Birkett last year.
My start, on a soaking track was spectacularly terrible. Despite a green flag lap which in theiry should put some heat in the tyres, as soon as the lights went out for the start my wheels were spinning and I reckon I was in third before I actually started moving forward, by which time of course everyone had gone past me!
Copse was a bit chaotic as Gary span and we all filed passed. I made it to Luffied without spinning but then got three abreast through there and the lightest of touches caused a spin. So back to the back again. I did manage to gain some gound over the next few laps. I was even catching Gary for a while. I thought I might even get past him at one point as my confidence in the wet was building. I then blew it away when I had a rapidly gaining Paul Rickers in my mirrors and pushed a little too hard through Copse. I span, stalled, and struggled to get going again as the field all came passed. I did at least manage to get back a couple of places before the finish, but basically it was a very dissapointing race.
My nephew, Olly, had turned up to watch. It was a shame that he had to see me on one of my worst days, but actually he was very complimentary. Still, he's family. It's compulsory to be nice!
Looking at the times, I did a 1:22 best lap which wasn't too disgraceful. My last wet lap time here was 1:32. All I've got to do now is keep it pointing in the right direction and I might get a decent result.
So on we go. I hope to be at Snetterton.
My old engine is with AB who is taking it apart to see what's salvageable. We'll have to see, Next season's budget rather depends on it!
Monday 23 August 2010
Pembrey and a tale of woe.
I know it hasn't gone entirely unnoticed that I have been a bit tardy updating the blog this time. Apart from having been on my hols for 2 weeks, I'm suffering a distinct lack of motivation to write this as it's all bad news.
Pembrey turned out to be rather unfortunate for me. A 400 mile round trip for 20 mins of untimed test to end up with a blown engine.
So I'm going to do Silverstone, and the Birkett, but we'll have to see how things go for next season.
Pembrey turned out to be rather unfortunate for me. A 400 mile round trip for 20 mins of untimed test to end up with a blown engine.
I should count myself relatively lucky that I detected some sort of problem after the early test session. I slight change of tone to the engine and a rattle alerted me to a problem. AB quickly analysed a dropped valve which was terminal for the weekend, but thankfully saved from being completely detroyed.
It also turns out that the engine is modified which is contrary to the regs, so i've been racing an illegal car for 4 years! Good job I haven't actually won anything I suppose!
Anyway, given that I was going on holiday on the Tuesday for 2 weeks, I was also likely to miss Silverstone as well as I would only have one weekend to sort out the engine which was never going to be possible for me. But Tim Gray offered to take it away and sort it out for me and deliver it to Silverstone so I took him up on that.
So we've sorted out a replacement busa engine on the basis that I can rebuild my modified engine and sell it. I'm not sure that I'm going to come away without a big net bill though. I am facing a serious dent in next season's budget.
So I'm going to do Silverstone, and the Birkett, but we'll have to see how things go for next season.
Anyway, on a lighter note, I've been to Barcelona for me hols with my family. We saw Motors TV on in a seaside bar. Fame at last! Not that is was RBG on, but it's a start! (not that that was the highlight of the holiday you understand!)
Oh yes, and we went to the zoo and saw a Bongo. Not the car, but the real thing. Yes, there is an animal called a Bongo. An antilope.
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| I should get some stripes for my Bongo! |
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| Helpfully translated into 3 languages! |
Anyway, enough waffle. See you all at Silverstone.
Monday 12 July 2010
Cadwell Park, July 2010
Having said I wasn't expecting much this weekend, it being a new track and all, that was probably the most exciting racing so far.
I'm feeling invigorated from my improvement at Brands and now excited to see if I can translate this to a new track. It's worth the 4 hour drag up to the middle of nowhere!
There was so much going on this weekend I can't give a full report on every session but I must note down some highlights while they're fresh in my memory.
Firstly the experience of a wholly new track that I haven't had since Donington, 2 years ago. The track is incredible. Lots of tight sections, hills, including a crest that gets you airbourne, a section through trees and an almost flat out left hander which tests your faith in physics! It felt like karting again, and almost as physically demanding.
So first time out in the allcomers qualifying I was doing 1:46.7. Just behind Adrian who was running on 3 cylinders! (mind you, even that hopeless time was quicker than a road-spec Lotus Exige could manage in the allcomers so just shows how quick RGB cars are compared to road cars 4 times the price!).
Anyway, by the RGB race I managed a 1:39.7 which is a pretty good improvement in a day, I thought. Still 3 seconds off the leading front engine pace but you've got to start somewhere!
My races were defined by starting at the back (I was still learning in qualifying), and then managing to do loads of overtaking. I pulled a couple of unbelievable (to me that is) outbraking passes as well as benefiting from lots of spins and general mayhem. It was a real boost to my confidence to be able to gain places. In the first RGB race I went from 19th to 12th on the track!
Oh yes, and in the second allcomers I was actually battling for the lead for a while. Sadly my front wing had been damaged on the start line by an errant Locost car which later started to rub on my tyre causing a huge cloud of smoke so I had to come in. But I could've won that. I think Neil Palmer, who was ahead of me, was just as surprised to find he had won and thought he was going for a telling off when they signalled for him to come in at the end, but they shoved a microphone in his face and interviewed him as the winner! It gives me goosepimples to think that was close to being me!
I must say this weekend has been what I hope racing will always be. Exciting, sociable and challenging. I'm still on that steep learning curve, but I really feel part of it now and capable of getting up there on top table if I persevere. I had been starting to think whether I would change the car and go mid engined, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet. I've got too much still to learn with the Westy to ring every last drop out of it. I'm still in awe of my fellow competitors for their technical abilities, but I reckon I ain't doing badly for bloke who's just having a go!
Here's some video footage:
From Adrian - behind me on the grid in the allcomers - I stall on the grid much to AM's frustration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezsPnXQXC94&feature=player_embedded
And from Colin's car in the 2nd RGB race. It picks me up from about 2.10m in up to about 3:30m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0DW2hLIZnU&feature=player_embedded
and some pics :
Stuck behind a (damaged) Doug.
I'm feeling invigorated from my improvement at Brands and now excited to see if I can translate this to a new track. It's worth the 4 hour drag up to the middle of nowhere!
There was so much going on this weekend I can't give a full report on every session but I must note down some highlights while they're fresh in my memory.
Firstly the experience of a wholly new track that I haven't had since Donington, 2 years ago. The track is incredible. Lots of tight sections, hills, including a crest that gets you airbourne, a section through trees and an almost flat out left hander which tests your faith in physics! It felt like karting again, and almost as physically demanding.
So first time out in the allcomers qualifying I was doing 1:46.7. Just behind Adrian who was running on 3 cylinders! (mind you, even that hopeless time was quicker than a road-spec Lotus Exige could manage in the allcomers so just shows how quick RGB cars are compared to road cars 4 times the price!).
Anyway, by the RGB race I managed a 1:39.7 which is a pretty good improvement in a day, I thought. Still 3 seconds off the leading front engine pace but you've got to start somewhere!
My races were defined by starting at the back (I was still learning in qualifying), and then managing to do loads of overtaking. I pulled a couple of unbelievable (to me that is) outbraking passes as well as benefiting from lots of spins and general mayhem. It was a real boost to my confidence to be able to gain places. In the first RGB race I went from 19th to 12th on the track!
Oh yes, and in the second allcomers I was actually battling for the lead for a while. Sadly my front wing had been damaged on the start line by an errant Locost car which later started to rub on my tyre causing a huge cloud of smoke so I had to come in. But I could've won that. I think Neil Palmer, who was ahead of me, was just as surprised to find he had won and thought he was going for a telling off when they signalled for him to come in at the end, but they shoved a microphone in his face and interviewed him as the winner! It gives me goosepimples to think that was close to being me!
I must say this weekend has been what I hope racing will always be. Exciting, sociable and challenging. I'm still on that steep learning curve, but I really feel part of it now and capable of getting up there on top table if I persevere. I had been starting to think whether I would change the car and go mid engined, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet. I've got too much still to learn with the Westy to ring every last drop out of it. I'm still in awe of my fellow competitors for their technical abilities, but I reckon I ain't doing badly for bloke who's just having a go!
Here's some video footage:
From Adrian - behind me on the grid in the allcomers - I stall on the grid much to AM's frustration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezsPnXQXC94&feature=player_embedded
And from Colin's car in the 2nd RGB race. It picks me up from about 2.10m in up to about 3:30m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0DW2hLIZnU&feature=player_embedded
and some pics :
Stuck behind a (damaged) Doug.
Going over the Mountain.
Trying to keep Austen behind me going over the Mountain.
Wednesday 23 June 2010
June 2010 Brands
Well, what a weekend that was. I've really broken down a huge barrier this time and I'm so chuffed I can't tell you.
Not only a 3rd in class (ok I've done that twice before but this time was particularly satisfying), but I've smashed my personal best lap by 0.8s. I did a 52.5!
So, another double header weekend. First time out with the Bongo (my new camper van - see pic).
I did ok in qualifying - two laps of exactly 53.45 (chances of that!). Not as good as my best ever lap here so far but I am fairly sure that was my best qualifying time. That put me 12th in the first race (Saturday) and 11th in the second (Sunday).
So I'm on the outside of the track in race 1. 5th row. That's pretty much up there with the big boys!
Anyway, sitting on the grid it starts to rain. We sit there for what seems ages, getting wet! Eventually we get the off and I do my usual over revved mad blast off the line which puts me very sideways on the sloping start line. I think that stopped Austen and Colin getting past at that point (unintentionally of course). As the grip comes I find myself flying down the outside of paddock and up past Doug. I can hardly believe it. I seem to have forgotten that it's wet, or found a dry line on the outside of paddock. Paul (the leading class A car) had a spin out of paddock and somehow I'm in 8th place by Druids and 2nd in class A! (You can see a bit of this in Austen's video here-)
Then I find I am keeping up with the leading pack. I keep this up for about 4 laps before Doug gets me and then Tony. But they're not getting too far away from me. What a blast!
I must have been really on it. I end up 10th on the track (equalling my best ever result) and 3rd in class (ditto), but the big news for me was the lap time of 52.5!
Looking back at my blog last time I said that knocking a whole second off my best of 53.3 would put me in the top 3. Well I'm 80% there! Another half a second and I really would be up there on top table.
It was a huge boost for me to have my fellow competitors coming up to me saying what a great drive I had.
Thinking back I reckon I can identify where I gained the time. Probably the braking into Paddock, and getting on the power early out of Clearways. It really makes a difference to be chasing the pack. It's the best tuition you can get.
So the first night ever in the Bongo. The folded down bed was a bit lumpy - I need to sort that out - I must play with the pressures in the inflatable bed. Maybe get some advice on the best ratios for Brands bed set up...
Anyway, on to Sunday's race.
In theory I was 1 place further up the grid this time, but in fact that meant I was on the inside which means you just get blocked in. There will be no shooting down the outside of Paddock this time. At least it was dry.
But what a disasterous start. In my head I thought I would be up into the leading pack off the line. What happened was I sat there spinning the wheenls for a while whilst everyone else went past. Oh dear. There goes Austen, Colin, Phil... oops. You know when you're playing a racing game on playstation and you mess up and just cancel and start again. I wanted to do that. It's just so unfair.
My race was then just a battle with Phil. I'm sure there was a time when I could take Phil easily with my extra grunt. Not now. I don't know what he's done but I could not get past him. It's amazing how wide he can make that car. Every lap I would get almost along side him down the straight and hope to outbrake him and nick the inside line round Paddock. Every time I couldn;t quite get there. On one lap I got up the inside only to touch wings and then thought better of just barging through. On another lap Phil made a bit of an error at Graham Hill bend but just as I had an opportunity to get a nose ahead I fluffed a gear change and missed it. Doh!
So I finished 12th. Behind Phil. 4th in class. An excellent dice, but very frustrating as I know I could go faster but my race craft needs a bit of work still.
(I'll put up some links to some video clips shortly).
So one trophy for the weekend. Despite the frustrations of Sunday's race I am really, really pleased with that.
I would have had to rely on one of the top 3 class A cars having a problem to get 3rd in that race even if I had got past Phil so in terms of the championship it made no difference. I would like to know that I could beat some class B cars though.
There is much discussion at the moment about changes to the regs for the 2012 season. The plan is to split the classes into just 2: front engined and mid engined, all with 1000cc engines. That would mean that my car would become ineligible (eventually - I would be allowed to continue if I wanted to but no new entrants with 'busa engines would be allowed). So I will probably swap my 'busa for a 1000cc engine and stick in the front engined class. I would love to go mid engined but I don't think I have the budget. Mind you - by 2012-maybe.
I have had a real boost this weekend. I am now thinking that my car is not such a barrier to a big improvement in performance after all. It really is just down to my driving. If I can gain a nearly a second through just being braver on the brakes, what could I do if I get the car set up properly? I will never be able to compete with the mid engined boys, but could I hope to get up to the pace of the leading class B front engined cars? Another half a second and I'm there.
I am more excited about this racing than ever now.
The next race is at Cadwell Park in North Lincolnshire. I've never raced there so I don;t expect much. But watch this space!
Not only a 3rd in class (ok I've done that twice before but this time was particularly satisfying), but I've smashed my personal best lap by 0.8s. I did a 52.5!
So, another double header weekend. First time out with the Bongo (my new camper van - see pic).
I have done literally nothing to the car since last time out at Brands other than clean the fuel vent valve. But then, if it ain't broke and all that.
I did ok in qualifying - two laps of exactly 53.45 (chances of that!). Not as good as my best ever lap here so far but I am fairly sure that was my best qualifying time. That put me 12th in the first race (Saturday) and 11th in the second (Sunday).
So I'm on the outside of the track in race 1. 5th row. That's pretty much up there with the big boys!
Anyway, sitting on the grid it starts to rain. We sit there for what seems ages, getting wet! Eventually we get the off and I do my usual over revved mad blast off the line which puts me very sideways on the sloping start line. I think that stopped Austen and Colin getting past at that point (unintentionally of course). As the grip comes I find myself flying down the outside of paddock and up past Doug. I can hardly believe it. I seem to have forgotten that it's wet, or found a dry line on the outside of paddock. Paul (the leading class A car) had a spin out of paddock and somehow I'm in 8th place by Druids and 2nd in class A! (You can see a bit of this in Austen's video here-)
Then I find I am keeping up with the leading pack. I keep this up for about 4 laps before Doug gets me and then Tony. But they're not getting too far away from me. What a blast!
I must have been really on it. I end up 10th on the track (equalling my best ever result) and 3rd in class (ditto), but the big news for me was the lap time of 52.5!
Looking back at my blog last time I said that knocking a whole second off my best of 53.3 would put me in the top 3. Well I'm 80% there! Another half a second and I really would be up there on top table.
It was a huge boost for me to have my fellow competitors coming up to me saying what a great drive I had.
Thinking back I reckon I can identify where I gained the time. Probably the braking into Paddock, and getting on the power early out of Clearways. It really makes a difference to be chasing the pack. It's the best tuition you can get.
So the first night ever in the Bongo. The folded down bed was a bit lumpy - I need to sort that out - I must play with the pressures in the inflatable bed. Maybe get some advice on the best ratios for Brands bed set up...
Anyway, on to Sunday's race.
In theory I was 1 place further up the grid this time, but in fact that meant I was on the inside which means you just get blocked in. There will be no shooting down the outside of Paddock this time. At least it was dry.
But what a disasterous start. In my head I thought I would be up into the leading pack off the line. What happened was I sat there spinning the wheenls for a while whilst everyone else went past. Oh dear. There goes Austen, Colin, Phil... oops. You know when you're playing a racing game on playstation and you mess up and just cancel and start again. I wanted to do that. It's just so unfair.
My race was then just a battle with Phil. I'm sure there was a time when I could take Phil easily with my extra grunt. Not now. I don't know what he's done but I could not get past him. It's amazing how wide he can make that car. Every lap I would get almost along side him down the straight and hope to outbrake him and nick the inside line round Paddock. Every time I couldn;t quite get there. On one lap I got up the inside only to touch wings and then thought better of just barging through. On another lap Phil made a bit of an error at Graham Hill bend but just as I had an opportunity to get a nose ahead I fluffed a gear change and missed it. Doh!
So I finished 12th. Behind Phil. 4th in class. An excellent dice, but very frustrating as I know I could go faster but my race craft needs a bit of work still.
(I'll put up some links to some video clips shortly).
So one trophy for the weekend. Despite the frustrations of Sunday's race I am really, really pleased with that.
I would have had to rely on one of the top 3 class A cars having a problem to get 3rd in that race even if I had got past Phil so in terms of the championship it made no difference. I would like to know that I could beat some class B cars though.
There is much discussion at the moment about changes to the regs for the 2012 season. The plan is to split the classes into just 2: front engined and mid engined, all with 1000cc engines. That would mean that my car would become ineligible (eventually - I would be allowed to continue if I wanted to but no new entrants with 'busa engines would be allowed). So I will probably swap my 'busa for a 1000cc engine and stick in the front engined class. I would love to go mid engined but I don't think I have the budget. Mind you - by 2012-maybe.
I have had a real boost this weekend. I am now thinking that my car is not such a barrier to a big improvement in performance after all. It really is just down to my driving. If I can gain a nearly a second through just being braver on the brakes, what could I do if I get the car set up properly? I will never be able to compete with the mid engined boys, but could I hope to get up to the pace of the leading class B front engined cars? Another half a second and I'm there.
I am more excited about this racing than ever now.
The next race is at Cadwell Park in North Lincolnshire. I've never raced there so I don;t expect much. But watch this space!
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Brands Hatch April 24th & 25th 2010
Another double header weekend down at Brands. I had fingers crossed for a mechanically trouble free weekend - my record here is not good for breakages and general cock ups, but I was feeling optimistic.
We had the biggest turn out I've ever experienced - 29 cars on the grid for RGB, and 11 in class A. Just to get my excuses in early, the class A field is now dominated by mid engined, purpose built race cars. Certainly the top 5, so my chances of a cup in this company are very limited. Mind you - my esteemed competitors do have a habit of taking each other off now and again so all is not lost yet!
Anyway, I can always have a good race with Austen, Paul R and the other class B/C front runners if i'm lucky.
Qualifying was a bit busy to say the least. I never really had a chance at a really quick lap, and I was finding clearways really understeery which was throwing me a bit. I ended up doing a 54.1, which in this company got me 20th on the grid. And the same position for the second race under the 2nd best time rule.
Saturday's race was eventful to say the least. I had an absolute stormer of a start, getting past at least 4 cars on the line. I had Colin in front of me and I was so tempted to sneak onto the grass to nip round him, but thought better of it given that grass tends not to have quite the same level of grip as the black stuff. So I was following Colin round Paddock only to witness a three car squeeze resulting in Colin spinning straight into the gravel and requiring avoiding action from me.
I go on to have a great battle with Austen and Matt Rowe. Further avoiding action required with Tony spinning, not to mention various other 'offs' that I didn't see happening, which got me thinking that my finishing position may not be too bad.
The last few laps were frustrating. I started to get fuel starvation coming out of Clearways, just where my power advantage would get me past Matt and Austen. Without that there was no way I was getting past them. So I finished 12th in the end. 4th in class. Shame not to end up in the top 10, but it wouldn't have made any difference to my class finish anyway.
My best time was a 53.3. Exactly the same as last year! That lap was obviously before the fuel problem so it is a fair comparison.
So despite my tweaking of the set up, I have not managed to improve at Brands. I need to do some testing here and play with the set up for this track really to get the best out of this car, although I still think I have scope to gain a few tenths at Paddock and at Clearways.
The grid is so competitive here. If I could get my times consistently 1 second a lap quicker I would be running in the top 3. But 1 second is a lot!
Anyway, I managed to trace the fuel problem to the venting valve which was sticking and causing a vacuum in the tank.
Sunday's race looked like it might be wet, but it dried up by the time we were out. Nicola and Kristin came to watch - no pressure!
My start was foiled this time by a stalled car in front which I had to avoid and let a few cars past. I managed to get past Ben in the other Westfield and was then chasing Paul Rickers. We had a good battle, but whilst I can just about match Paul's times, there was no way I was getting past him. Then he span on some oil and let me through. It was a lonely race from there as the gap to Colin was way too far. Mind you, Colin had a spin as well which allowed me to catch up a bit momentarily, but he found a quick line through what was a treacherously oily Clearways and easily pulled away from me.
So I finished a lonely 14th in Sunday's race, 5th in class.
No silverware this time.
Must try harder!
I'm going to go and see if I can find some money down the back of the sofa to go testing again!
By the way, this weekend will be on Motors TV and they are doing a special feature on us. I'll post the dates that it's on.
There's a big gap now until the next race a Brands in June (19th & 20th). I'm suffering withdrawl symptoms already!
We had the biggest turn out I've ever experienced - 29 cars on the grid for RGB, and 11 in class A. Just to get my excuses in early, the class A field is now dominated by mid engined, purpose built race cars. Certainly the top 5, so my chances of a cup in this company are very limited. Mind you - my esteemed competitors do have a habit of taking each other off now and again so all is not lost yet!
Anyway, I can always have a good race with Austen, Paul R and the other class B/C front runners if i'm lucky.
Qualifying was a bit busy to say the least. I never really had a chance at a really quick lap, and I was finding clearways really understeery which was throwing me a bit. I ended up doing a 54.1, which in this company got me 20th on the grid. And the same position for the second race under the 2nd best time rule.
Saturday's race was eventful to say the least. I had an absolute stormer of a start, getting past at least 4 cars on the line. I had Colin in front of me and I was so tempted to sneak onto the grass to nip round him, but thought better of it given that grass tends not to have quite the same level of grip as the black stuff. So I was following Colin round Paddock only to witness a three car squeeze resulting in Colin spinning straight into the gravel and requiring avoiding action from me.
I go on to have a great battle with Austen and Matt Rowe. Further avoiding action required with Tony spinning, not to mention various other 'offs' that I didn't see happening, which got me thinking that my finishing position may not be too bad.
The last few laps were frustrating. I started to get fuel starvation coming out of Clearways, just where my power advantage would get me past Matt and Austen. Without that there was no way I was getting past them. So I finished 12th in the end. 4th in class. Shame not to end up in the top 10, but it wouldn't have made any difference to my class finish anyway.
My best time was a 53.3. Exactly the same as last year! That lap was obviously before the fuel problem so it is a fair comparison.
So despite my tweaking of the set up, I have not managed to improve at Brands. I need to do some testing here and play with the set up for this track really to get the best out of this car, although I still think I have scope to gain a few tenths at Paddock and at Clearways.
The grid is so competitive here. If I could get my times consistently 1 second a lap quicker I would be running in the top 3. But 1 second is a lot!
Anyway, I managed to trace the fuel problem to the venting valve which was sticking and causing a vacuum in the tank.
Sunday's race looked like it might be wet, but it dried up by the time we were out. Nicola and Kristin came to watch - no pressure!
My start was foiled this time by a stalled car in front which I had to avoid and let a few cars past. I managed to get past Ben in the other Westfield and was then chasing Paul Rickers. We had a good battle, but whilst I can just about match Paul's times, there was no way I was getting past him. Then he span on some oil and let me through. It was a lonely race from there as the gap to Colin was way too far. Mind you, Colin had a spin as well which allowed me to catch up a bit momentarily, but he found a quick line through what was a treacherously oily Clearways and easily pulled away from me.
So I finished a lonely 14th in Sunday's race, 5th in class.
No silverware this time.
Must try harder!
I'm going to go and see if I can find some money down the back of the sofa to go testing again!
By the way, this weekend will be on Motors TV and they are doing a special feature on us. I'll post the dates that it's on.
There's a big gap now until the next race a Brands in June (19th & 20th). I'm suffering withdrawl symptoms already!
Monday 5 April 2010
A Slight Diversion - Palmer Sports Day 25th March
I'm writing this on Easter Monday having got back from Copenhagen on Saturday. Sadly missed the Mallory race - I simply did not have the time over the last couple of weeks to get myself organised for it having had the most stressful week at work ever and a minor matter of our passports needing renewing with 5 days to go! Anyway, that's another story.
Work in the week before my holiday was particularly hectic because I had a day out on a jolly. I was invited to a Palmer Sports day with some work colleagues (someone else was paying!). I have done this day before and it is a not-to-be-missed opportunity.
We get to drive (and I mean drive properly on the limit) 9 different cars on various different circuits. The cars were a BMW M3, Renault Clio Sport, Porsche 911, Caterham 7 (twice), off roading in a Land Rover defender and karts - and the main event - the Palmer Sport JP1 sports prototype and the Formula Jaguar single seater.
The was all timed so was competitive - really competitive as it happens. The problem was it was raining on and off all day so some of us got to drive in the dry and sometimes in the wet so an overall comparison was fairly meaningless. However, and I'm sorry to blow my own trumpet here but it doesn't happen very often, whenever i had a dry circuit, my times were the quickest of the day - except -rather ironically- with the Caterham pursuit- where you had to negotiate a tight circuit and do a power slide and a doughnut. I say ironically because this is the closest car to the Westy - but not the sort of driving I am used to.
Anyway - the Porsche was great fun. The instructor was getting very excited about my driving. It was a tremendous ego boost that he was shouting encouragement as we got quicker and quicker and ended up doing a time that he said was amongst the quickest they have ever had. (I'm sure he was just massaging my ego but it felt really good!). I really enjoyed the way you can throw the weight of that car around to set you up for a corner and then just drift through it on full power. It was truly addictive - I might have to get one!
I was also the quickest of the day with the Renault (again nothing like what I am used to) and the single seater which was much closer to the sort of power to weight that I am used to. Also it was dry when I started the session, and then it rained but the tyres were hot and the car had plently of aero so I hardly noticed any loss of grip. It was a great feeling to be nailing it in the wet - something I simply can't do in the Westy.
I realise that the company I was in was not quite as experienced as me but they were some pretty good drivers there and the competitive spirit was very strong. I came away with a very massaged ego and prizes (they would only let me have one even though I'd won three of the events just to be fair to everyone else - not at all fair if you ask me!)
Anyway, if you ever get a chance to do that event - especially if someone else is paying - it must not be missed I promise.
So- next time out is Brands on 24th April. Watch this space...
Work in the week before my holiday was particularly hectic because I had a day out on a jolly. I was invited to a Palmer Sports day with some work colleagues (someone else was paying!). I have done this day before and it is a not-to-be-missed opportunity.
We get to drive (and I mean drive properly on the limit) 9 different cars on various different circuits. The cars were a BMW M3, Renault Clio Sport, Porsche 911, Caterham 7 (twice), off roading in a Land Rover defender and karts - and the main event - the Palmer Sport JP1 sports prototype and the Formula Jaguar single seater.
The was all timed so was competitive - really competitive as it happens. The problem was it was raining on and off all day so some of us got to drive in the dry and sometimes in the wet so an overall comparison was fairly meaningless. However, and I'm sorry to blow my own trumpet here but it doesn't happen very often, whenever i had a dry circuit, my times were the quickest of the day - except -rather ironically- with the Caterham pursuit- where you had to negotiate a tight circuit and do a power slide and a doughnut. I say ironically because this is the closest car to the Westy - but not the sort of driving I am used to.
Anyway - the Porsche was great fun. The instructor was getting very excited about my driving. It was a tremendous ego boost that he was shouting encouragement as we got quicker and quicker and ended up doing a time that he said was amongst the quickest they have ever had. (I'm sure he was just massaging my ego but it felt really good!). I really enjoyed the way you can throw the weight of that car around to set you up for a corner and then just drift through it on full power. It was truly addictive - I might have to get one!
I was also the quickest of the day with the Renault (again nothing like what I am used to) and the single seater which was much closer to the sort of power to weight that I am used to. Also it was dry when I started the session, and then it rained but the tyres were hot and the car had plently of aero so I hardly noticed any loss of grip. It was a great feeling to be nailing it in the wet - something I simply can't do in the Westy.
I realise that the company I was in was not quite as experienced as me but they were some pretty good drivers there and the competitive spirit was very strong. I came away with a very massaged ego and prizes (they would only let me have one even though I'd won three of the events just to be fair to everyone else - not at all fair if you ask me!)
Anyway, if you ever get a chance to do that event - especially if someone else is paying - it must not be missed I promise.
So- next time out is Brands on 24th April. Watch this space...
Sunday 14 March 2010
First race of 2010 - Snetterton 14th March.
Slightly disapointing performance today, but hey!, it's still the best fun ever! So glad to be back.
Qualifying was going ok, or so I thought, until after just 15 minutes I started to run out of fuel. Doh!
What a muppet!!
In my defence, this new power commander has gained my a bit of mid range power, but must be dramatically increasing my fuel consumption. That's my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it.
I only did a 1:20, which put me 14th on the grid, and last of the class A cars. Very disappointing given my successful testing session the other day. Still, I thought, I didn't really get a quick lap without traffic in qualifying before my embarrasing early exit. I reckoned I could get in amongst the mid field in the race and have some fun.
So guess what. Rain, that's what. I hate the rain and this was bad in that it was only at one end of the track.
It was dry at first, and I got a pretty good start, and after an incident at corner 2 which took a few cars off, and a spectacularly brilliant overtaking manouvre on Bob (see below), I was already running in the top 10. (Forgive my modesty - I have much to be modest about!).
Then the rain came and all my good work was undone. Having got past the leading class C cars in the dry, they quickly loomed large in my mirrors in the rain. I don't know if my car suffers more than most in the wet, or if I am just spectacularly bad at driving in the wet, but it really shows how much slower I am when the rain comes and goes. (I suspect the latter of course, but I take the view that it is better to stay on the track,even slowly, than end up sliding into the scenery like several others did).
The rain cleared up for a while mid race and I gained some places back. I was doing ok until the last lap when the rain came down again with a vengence. I had a big moment at the end of the straight when my braking point in the dry didn't quite work in the wet! Fortunately there is plenty of room to run off at that point and I managed to get back on without losing too many places. However I had Phil and Austen right behind me through the 'bombhole' and lost it big time. I went sideways, and two cars went either side of me. Austen took a trip over the grass and was lucky to get back on without any damage. I slid to a gracefull halt in the middle of the track remarkably pointing vaguely in the right direction and managed to get going straight away, so that by the next corner, if you hadn't seen what happened, it just looked like I had been overtaken by two cars in one go. So that was how I finished. 11th overall. Not too bad by past standards I suppose, but it showed up my real weakness in the wet.
I'm not sure that I'm looking forward to seeing the TV coverage this time. It may be too embarrasing.
Here's a few pics from the day:
Oh, and the scutineers picked me up on an issue with my new mouting point for the exhaust which is not supposed to be attached to the roll bar. I'm not going to have time to sort that out before Mallory as we're off to Denmark, so I'll have to miss that race. I'm gutted, but there you go. Rules is rules as they say.
So next time out will be end of April at Brands. I'm counting the days.
There's a good bit of video of one of my heroic overtaking manouvres from Bob's car here: (hope you don't mind me nicking your link, Bob!): (go to about 2 mins in and watch in Bob's mirror).
Qualifying was going ok, or so I thought, until after just 15 minutes I started to run out of fuel. Doh!
What a muppet!!
In my defence, this new power commander has gained my a bit of mid range power, but must be dramatically increasing my fuel consumption. That's my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it.
I only did a 1:20, which put me 14th on the grid, and last of the class A cars. Very disappointing given my successful testing session the other day. Still, I thought, I didn't really get a quick lap without traffic in qualifying before my embarrasing early exit. I reckoned I could get in amongst the mid field in the race and have some fun.
So guess what. Rain, that's what. I hate the rain and this was bad in that it was only at one end of the track.
It was dry at first, and I got a pretty good start, and after an incident at corner 2 which took a few cars off, and a spectacularly brilliant overtaking manouvre on Bob (see below), I was already running in the top 10. (Forgive my modesty - I have much to be modest about!).
Then the rain came and all my good work was undone. Having got past the leading class C cars in the dry, they quickly loomed large in my mirrors in the rain. I don't know if my car suffers more than most in the wet, or if I am just spectacularly bad at driving in the wet, but it really shows how much slower I am when the rain comes and goes. (I suspect the latter of course, but I take the view that it is better to stay on the track,even slowly, than end up sliding into the scenery like several others did).
The rain cleared up for a while mid race and I gained some places back. I was doing ok until the last lap when the rain came down again with a vengence. I had a big moment at the end of the straight when my braking point in the dry didn't quite work in the wet! Fortunately there is plenty of room to run off at that point and I managed to get back on without losing too many places. However I had Phil and Austen right behind me through the 'bombhole' and lost it big time. I went sideways, and two cars went either side of me. Austen took a trip over the grass and was lucky to get back on without any damage. I slid to a gracefull halt in the middle of the track remarkably pointing vaguely in the right direction and managed to get going straight away, so that by the next corner, if you hadn't seen what happened, it just looked like I had been overtaken by two cars in one go. So that was how I finished. 11th overall. Not too bad by past standards I suppose, but it showed up my real weakness in the wet.
I'm not sure that I'm looking forward to seeing the TV coverage this time. It may be too embarrasing.
Here's a few pics from the day:
Oh, and the scutineers picked me up on an issue with my new mouting point for the exhaust which is not supposed to be attached to the roll bar. I'm not going to have time to sort that out before Mallory as we're off to Denmark, so I'll have to miss that race. I'm gutted, but there you go. Rules is rules as they say.
So next time out will be end of April at Brands. I'm counting the days.
There's a good bit of video of one of my heroic overtaking manouvres from Bob's car here: (hope you don't mind me nicking your link, Bob!): (go to about 2 mins in and watch in Bob's mirror).
Tuesday 9 March 2010
2010 Racing Dates
The dates are out for next season. These are the dates i'm likely to do:
14th March - Snetterton
4th April - Mallory Park
24th & 25th April - Brands Hatch
19th & 20th June - Brands Hatch
10th & 11th July - Cadwell Park
31st July & 1st August - Pembrey
28th Aug - Silverstone
19th September - Snetterton
2nd Oct - Oulton
30th Oct - Birkett 6hr at Silverstone.
If you want to come along, let me know - I may have some spare tickets.
14th March - Snetterton
4th April - Mallory Park
24th & 25th April - Brands Hatch
19th & 20th June - Brands Hatch
10th & 11th July - Cadwell Park
31st July & 1st August - Pembrey
28th Aug - Silverstone
19th September - Snetterton
2nd Oct - Oulton
30th Oct - Birkett 6hr at Silverstone.
If you want to come along, let me know - I may have some spare tickets.
Sunday 7 March 2010
Snetterton test day 5th March
So, first time out since last October.
I arranged a day's testing with Tim Gray, last year's championship winner and all round motor racing expert.
Tim prepares and runs his own car as well as several others on behalf of other drivers. I asked him if he would help me get my car set up properly, or at least in a state from which I can start to make improvements.
An early start and a frosty but sunny morning in the Norfolk countryside. That wind doesn't half go straight through you!
Anyway, down to business.
Tim must think i'm some kind of muppet. On checking the current set up he was scratching his head wondering how I manage to drive this thing at all, the set up was so bad. I said it was down to pure driving skill! Yeah right!
Basically, all the wheels were pointing in different directions, every damper was on a different setting. I didn't even have the right spanners to adjust anything!
So having established that what I know about setting up a car could be written in very big type on the back of a stamp, Tim made a few adjustments and sent me out for a warm up.
It's amazing how quickly I forget how bloody quick this car is. Even if all the wheels are pointing in the wrong direction, it's accellerates like it's been dropped off a cliff! Mind you, it was so cold that I was struggling for straight line traction at first, wheelspinning in 4th!
So the day consisted mainly of Tim telling me how to go quicker, making a few adjustments and seeing how the car then felt, and then making some more adjustments and so on. I was also practicing some late braking which is where I lose most of my time at the moment. The chicane at Snett is a good example. A very fast approach, downhill, into a very slow corner. It's very heavy on the brakes and I always back off way too soon. So I practiced braking a bit later, then a bit more, then found myself in a big cloud of front tyre smoke and only just managing to turn in. Ok, that's it. Do that but just a tad earlier and i've cracked it!
We didn't really get any consistent times, but what times I did were getting back to my best race time which would have been on on a hot day so quicker anyway. So I am hopeful that I have made some real progress.
Ok, now I'm really excited about the new season.
First up, Snetterton on 14th March - same as the first F1 race - oh, and Mother's day! Oops!
It will be on the telly again!
I arranged a day's testing with Tim Gray, last year's championship winner and all round motor racing expert.
Tim prepares and runs his own car as well as several others on behalf of other drivers. I asked him if he would help me get my car set up properly, or at least in a state from which I can start to make improvements.
An early start and a frosty but sunny morning in the Norfolk countryside. That wind doesn't half go straight through you!
Anyway, down to business.
Tim must think i'm some kind of muppet. On checking the current set up he was scratching his head wondering how I manage to drive this thing at all, the set up was so bad. I said it was down to pure driving skill! Yeah right!
Basically, all the wheels were pointing in different directions, every damper was on a different setting. I didn't even have the right spanners to adjust anything!
So having established that what I know about setting up a car could be written in very big type on the back of a stamp, Tim made a few adjustments and sent me out for a warm up.
It's amazing how quickly I forget how bloody quick this car is. Even if all the wheels are pointing in the wrong direction, it's accellerates like it's been dropped off a cliff! Mind you, it was so cold that I was struggling for straight line traction at first, wheelspinning in 4th!
So the day consisted mainly of Tim telling me how to go quicker, making a few adjustments and seeing how the car then felt, and then making some more adjustments and so on. I was also practicing some late braking which is where I lose most of my time at the moment. The chicane at Snett is a good example. A very fast approach, downhill, into a very slow corner. It's very heavy on the brakes and I always back off way too soon. So I practiced braking a bit later, then a bit more, then found myself in a big cloud of front tyre smoke and only just managing to turn in. Ok, that's it. Do that but just a tad earlier and i've cracked it!
We didn't really get any consistent times, but what times I did were getting back to my best race time which would have been on on a hot day so quicker anyway. So I am hopeful that I have made some real progress.
Ok, now I'm really excited about the new season.
First up, Snetterton on 14th March - same as the first F1 race - oh, and Mother's day! Oops!
It will be on the telly again!
Wednesday 6 January 2010
Off Season Update
I'm allowing myself to get a bit excited about the coming season now that it is very close.
The car has been at PDQ having various things done.
I asked Larry to check the engine to see if anything needs doing. Nothing but new valve clearences and some oil. Not bad after 2 seasons of racing!
I also needed a new manifold as it was cracked beyond repair. This turned into a bit of an ordeal since the new Westfield manifold didn't fit so a bit of adaptation was required. We also created a new mounting point for the exhaust so that it didn't shake itself to bits which was causing the cracking.
Also had a power commander fitted. Some mid range power improvements so we'll have to see whether that shows up as quicker times.
I was due a Snetterton for a test day on Friday, and I only picked the car up from PDQ on the Thurday evening. Talk about cutting it fine. I was going to sort out a few other bits like the new front wings, but that will have to wait.
Test day report coming up next.
The dates are out for next season. These are the dates i'm likely to do:
14th March - Snetterton
4th April - Mallory Park
24th & 25th April - Brands Hatch
19th & 20th June - Brands Hatch
10th & 11th July - Cadwell Park
31st July & 1st August - Pembrey
28th Aug - Silverstone
19th September - Snetterton
2nd Oct - Oulton
30th Oct - Birkett 6hr at Silverstone.
The car has been at PDQ having various things done.
I asked Larry to check the engine to see if anything needs doing. Nothing but new valve clearences and some oil. Not bad after 2 seasons of racing!
I also needed a new manifold as it was cracked beyond repair. This turned into a bit of an ordeal since the new Westfield manifold didn't fit so a bit of adaptation was required. We also created a new mounting point for the exhaust so that it didn't shake itself to bits which was causing the cracking.
Also had a power commander fitted. Some mid range power improvements so we'll have to see whether that shows up as quicker times.
I was due a Snetterton for a test day on Friday, and I only picked the car up from PDQ on the Thurday evening. Talk about cutting it fine. I was going to sort out a few other bits like the new front wings, but that will have to wait.
Test day report coming up next.
The dates are out for next season. These are the dates i'm likely to do:
14th March - Snetterton
4th April - Mallory Park
24th & 25th April - Brands Hatch
19th & 20th June - Brands Hatch
10th & 11th July - Cadwell Park
31st July & 1st August - Pembrey
28th Aug - Silverstone
19th September - Snetterton
2nd Oct - Oulton
30th Oct - Birkett 6hr at Silverstone.
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