Silverstone 2011 - wet again!

Well what a weekend's racing that was. Undoubtedly my best performance in the wet, ever.
First time in the wet with the Phoenix and I smashed my previous personal best time in the Westfield, 4th in class F and 9th on the track. And to cap it all I got Driver of the Day.

I really am very proud of that. My wife is bored with hearing about it already and it's only Sunday now!

I don't normally bore you with a blow by blow account but you'll forgive me for expanding on the commentary a little this time.

The weekend started well. Got there Friday evening in time to have a drink with Paul and Della Rogers who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary -by going racing - what a marriage that must be. I hope my wife lets me do that when we get that far! (We're only half way to that milestone)
Friday had been really wet for those that had been testing and it wasn't looking good for Saturday, but the morning did bring sunshine, although the track was still wet.
We were on quite early so the rack was still damp in places. I enjoyed it though and found myself pacing against Tim H which was encouraging.
Turns out I did a best lap of 1:06.9 which I was pleased with and put me 13th on the grid within 5 tenths of Tim and 9 tenths off Andy Grant's pace. I thought at the time that my best previous time in the Westy was about 1.09 but actually, now I've looked it up, I did a 1:06.97 last year in the Westfield, but that was on a bone dry track. To beat that time on a damp track was pretty encouraging.
So the day was looking good as the sun continued to shine, but would you believe it, with minutes to go before our race was called, the skies darkened and a torrential rain storm ensued.
The TGM team burst into action and took the anti-roll bars off, softened the dampers and took the pressures down a bit, gave me a brolly whilst I sat in assembly, and then off we went.
It had stopped actually raining by the time we set off, but the track was soaking with standing water all over the place. We had a green flag lap to give us a chance to see the conditions which were predictably awfull, but at least I could (kind of) practice a start.
So the start proper was pretty good. I was past quite a few cars off the line and ended up on the inside tucked in behind Matt Green (Spire, class R). We all seemed to get round the first corner ok but Becketts was treacherous with lots of sideways action through there, I managed to hold it together despite a huge slide and managed to stay with Matt. My race was then a very close battle with Matt. I couldn't believe that I was keeping pace with him, but somehow I was finding grip where he wasn't and, whilst he was pulling out on the straights, I was right back with him especially around Becketts and Luffield. I actually got a nose ahead a couple of times when Matt had some very sideways moments ony to be thwarted on the straights again. It must have been great to watch.
With a couple of laps to go I was getting to the point where I was concentrating so hard on trying to keep the car on the track  that my head was hurting and I was starting to hope to see the chequered flag but I was desperately looking for an opportunity to nick the place from Matt. We both came upon Paul Rickers who had spun and in having to get past him, Matt pulled out a few lengths and I didn't really have a chance after that.
I finished 9th on the track and 4th in class (behind Derek, Al and Austen) so I was really chuffed with that.
The car felt so controllable in the wet compared to the Westy and I'm sure I can go quicker still bearing in mind that was my first time in the Phoenix in the wet and only my 3rd race at all in that car.
My best time was a 1:18.88. My previous best wet time in the Westy was a 1:22 so I totally smashed that!

So I was very pleased with myself anyway. To get the recognition of my peers by winning the DOTD award was really incredible. I really am very proud of that. It must have been a good show!
This is going to sound like to cheesy speech at the Oscars or something, but I really must thank Tim Gray and his team for his superb service (no...I'm not on commission..but it really is worth every penny!)...and my wife for paying for it. I'm filling up now...

I'm not doing Oulton but I'll be at Pembrey and Cadwell so see you there.

Back to Snetterton - July 11

Well as you may have gathered, dearest blog readers, I didn't do Donington. Too much racing left at the end of the money. But I was back at Snetterton last weekend. And what a beautiful weekend it was (apart from the merest hint of rain during qualifying, but it didn't last).
This is my opportunity to see what I can do in a car that is known to be a well sorted winner in Duncan's capable hands so I've a lot to live up to.

Waiting for the race - I'm not really as grumpy as I look!

There were two races this weekend. Sadly on the Saturday there was some serious damage suffered by several cars, not least Bob in his shiny new BDN. So sorry for all those guys that suffered damage and obviously thankful that noone was seriously hurt. Even more thankful that it wasn't me!

So given that I was grateful to have an incident free race (well not counting a very close shave, but I'll come on to that), I can't help but being slightly dissapointed to have been a little off the pace. Still, I had two great races.
Race 1 was a great battle with Rob Grant. I was clearly quicker than him through much of the circuit, but he was catching me every time round the new hairpin and therefore onto the straight. I led for most of the race, with some hairy side by side moments through the essess. Then with a couple of laps to go he gets past me into the essess. I then make a lunge up the inside into the first corner which almost came off ok but we went round there side by side with millimetres to spare and then I fluffed a gear change and he got ahead, as did Dan who had been patiently waiting to get past us both.
So having been running a potential 3rd in class for most of the race I end up 5th on the last lap.
I actually came in on the last lap thinking that I was overheating, but as it happens I crossed the line in the pits and I was given the 5th position.




No wonder I'm so slow - I'm only using 3 wheels!

 Sunday's race was an equally close battle with Dan, although Rob ducked out having tried to adjust his dampers which had made things worse. I was even keeping pace with Andy Grant, although I was never going to catch him.

A really good fun battle and great racing all round.

I can;t help being dissapointed at my lap times though. My best was a 1:22.1.
I reckon that's at least 2 seconds off the pace. I can see where I might make that up in theory, but I felt like I was driving out of my skin so I think I need some bravery pills for next time!

So I expect to be at Silverstone. Would you believe that my fantastic wife has offered to pay for it for my birthday. What about that! See y'all there.