We were on the Silverstone International Circuit this time which we have never done before. Well, we've done about 7/8ths of it before but not necessarily in this order..
I managed to watch Andy Seaton's video from Friday testing to see which way to go on the bit I hadn't done before, and that was it before qualifying.
Predictably I was a couple of seconds off the pace (well, Austen's pace anyway) in qualy but was nevertheless 4th in class so I didn't think that was too shabby given that all the cars in front of me had been testing.
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| Thanks to Dan for the pic |
Having qualified I then watched my video of qualy with Tim Gray. If you've ever had to see teacher after class for extra lessons for those who are a bit hard of thinking, that was me. Comments like, what the hell are you doing over there at that corner. You could get a taxi to the apex from there, you muppet! (actually he didn't say that at all, but I know he was thinking it!). Anyway, I was the willing recipient of some very valuable advice on my lines and race craft which was genuinely helpful.
So race 1 was fun to say the least. I won't bore you with a blow by blow account, but the video is worth a watch. Highlights include the first lap when Colin and Austen come together in front of me and spin either side of me like the parting of the waves, leaving me free to go straight through the middle and into a class lead. You can then watch me cock it all up and end up back in 4th as Dave Watson, Stephen Malyon and Austen all reel me back in. I have a great battle with Steve Malyon, swapping places with him a couple of times. I somehow manage to throw away a dead cert 2nd place with a couple of laps to go and end up 3rd, Dave having blown his engine and Austen having caught us all up with a spectacular drive to win the class.
Race 2 on Sunday was equally exciting with another epic battle with Stephen Malyon. No video from me but Bob's video captured the whole thing very well (and a superb drive from Bob, btw).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Zp-w7nHp1LE
I managed to battle with Steve for several laps before eventually getting past him through the fast Stowe corner at the end of the straight. Bob also got past him, giving me some breathing space. I seem to have a habit of slowing down once I'm in front for some reason and Bob probably did me a favour by getting between us, and then looming large in my mirrors, keeping me alert.
This time Austen was beaten by a superbly smooth drive by Paul Rickers who took 1st, leaving me with my second 3rd place of the weekend.
So a great weekend. We had lots going on in between our action too. Andy Seaton had his first race in his monster twin turbo RX7, in the wet (respect!) and Matt Higginson in the same race in a Rage buggy (we think the first time ever for one of those on a tarmac circuit), and of course the master himself, Mr Gray, in Bikesports which is always a site to behold!
So, very chuffed to get a couple of trophies, and even more honoured to get the Driver of the Day award for Sunday's race which must have been entertaining (and will be on Motors TV soon).
I was also more than a bit chuffed to see my lap times come down from the mid 1:17s to the mid 1:15s in the space of 2 races. Thanks of course to Mr Gray's tuition and to some very close racing. I can't tell you how great that feels after being embarrasingly slow at Donington.
So really looking forward to Donington for a second time this year in September. See you all there.
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