My other car's no longer a 'busa but a Phoenix

My 2011 Season

2011-12-23T05:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

I think i've been a good boy this year.
I started the year with a trophy at Mallory for 2nd in class. That's good isn't it? Well, I know there were only 3 runners in the class, but I still beat someone fair and square.
And Brands was pretty good, I thought. If club racing is about close battles then Austen and I are ambassadors for the sport! Oh and my cheeky move on Colin at Graham Hill bend was an uncharacteristic stroke of genius. Yes, yes. I know he got me back later but it felt good at the time.

If it was anything to do with you, Santa, thank you for my new Phoenix in May. Such a shame that I went and broke it first time out. I promise to treat my toys with more care in future.
It was a relief to be able to fix it by July for Snetterton again. That was good fun. I thought I was doing well there for a while, running 3rd in class for most of the race, but blew it all away at the end and ended up 5th. Must try harder.

Anyway, if proof were needed that I've been a good boy this year, look at Silverstone. What a race that was in the wet. An awesome battle with Matt Green no less! Ended up 9th on the track and 4th in class. Just short of another trophy, but the best present of all was my Driver of the Day award. There you go. Proof!

Pembrey was quite interesting in the wet as well. Plenty of sideways fun, although at the same time, terrifying!
I'm afraid I broke my toy again though. Damn that clutch.
It wasn't a whole lot better by Cadwell, but the TGM elves managed to fix it with a little help from Austen.
I did manage another 4th in class in the wet. Oh, and an overtaking move on Tim Pell over the mountain that will stick in my memory, not to mention another close battle with Austen.

So there you go, Santa. Proof that I've been a good boy.
Now, there's a good chap and sort me out with some more talent for next year would you? I promise to use it wisely. If you can't manage that, maybe just some brave pills.
And can you hurry up. I can't wait for the start of the season.

Yours, eagerly
James.

Cadwell Park, 8th/9th October 11

2011-10-14T02:49:00.000-07:00

Another long trip up to the depths of North Lincolnshire, but oh boy is it worth it. Only my second trip to Cadwell but it is now definitely my all time favourite circuit, even if the weather didn't impress.

A busy weekend. I'd entered the Allcomers as well as the two RGB races, so I had two practice sessions and two races on the Saturday. At least I was supposed to. Sadly it didn;t quite work out like that.
Out in first practice for the allcomers. It wasn't raining but the track was wet. I was getting some clear laps as I'd been at the front of the queue, but started to get some clutch slip rather like I did at Pembrey. Anyway, I came in after 8 laps before the clutch packed in completely.
I managed a best lap of 1.41s which put me 4th on the allcomers grid, behind the bikesports cars, but first of the other RGB boys. The rest of the grid were MR2s, Saxos and the like, so much slower cars, but nevertheless I was pleased with that, especially since it was done with a slipping clutch. It is good fun racing with slower cars on the track (much like the Birkett) as it reminds you just how stonkingly quick these RGB cars are.

Anyway, the TGM boys burst into action and changed the clutch plates and got me out for the RGB qualifying.
This session was much dryer, especially after a few laps although still a bit damp in places. Sadly though the clutch was still slipping so I'm not convinced I got my fastest time at 1.39.3. Mind you, that is still quicker than I ever did in the Westy, although I still don't really have a true like for like comparison in the same conditions. The Phoenix is definitely quicker though.
So another mad effort by Tim and Andy to change the clutch again. Clearly there was something more wrong than just worn plates and it took a bit more time that we thought. Unfortunately I missed the Allcomers race as a result which was a shame. It was won by a bikesports car, but Colin Chapman came second. Another 'might-have-got-a-podium' for me there!

So we made it to the RGB race with new(ish) clutch plates.
It was very wet. Another 'can't even see the track never mind where the hell the next corner is' first lap. Still - managed to keep right up with Tim H who span out after half a lap and suddenly I'm running in the top ten. Then the race is red flagged due to an off by Tim Pell at the hairpin, and we all start again back in our original positions. Sadly I didn;t get quite such a good start this time and got behind Dan and Colin. It took me a couple of laps to get past (close one there Colin!) and then I was chasing down Tim H who I could still see up ahead. To my surprise I was catching him, but the race was just not long enough and I settled in behind him. That put me 9th on the track which was very pleasing, and 4th in class.
I was also a good 1.5s quicker than Tim H in those wet conditions so I'm very pleased with that. I'm starting to enjoy this wet racing despite the moments of terror that it brings with it!

Anyway, despite the creditable result, the clutch still wasn't right.
We'd run out of spares now and I had to go begging. Thanks to Austen for the loan of a new clutch.
The TGM boys spent a rainy evening changing it again. I helped by passing the beer!

Sunday's race then.
This was another wet one, although it did start to dry towrds the end. I managed a reasonable start this time, managing to get past Paul Rickers. I was also really chuffed to get past Tim Pell in the class A Genesis. We went airborne over the mountain together and I got him on the inside into the next right hander. Right in front of all the spectators. Hair raising moment that. Nothing - absolutely nothing - beats that feeling.

So having got past Tim P, I was chasing down Austen who was tucked in behing David Wale. I quickly caught up and the rest of the race was a three way battle. Obviously I can't hear it in the car but I gather the commentator was getting quite excited as we went almost three abreast at one point. Really exciting stuff.
On the last lap it turned into a 4 car battle as Paul Rickers caught us all up. Half a lap to go and David goes onto the grass but comes back on to block Austen's pass, who had sensibly backed off to avoid an obvious collision, and that was the last chance he got. We crossed the line with all 4 of us just 2 seconds apart, and Paul was 1 tenth of a second behind me. Far enough though!
Another 4th in class. 11th on the track this time.

I must note that Tim Gray was the star of the weekend in the Sabre. He beat everyone by at least 20 seconds in both RGB races. Unbelievable. I am not worthy!!

So that's it. Season over.

I'll do a review of my year shortly but for now I'll just say, I already can't wait for next season. I'm aiming for trophies next year!

Thanks to Dan 'The Squirrel' for the pics:

Pembrey 24th & 25th September 11. Do you want the good news or the bad?

2011-10-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

So Pembrey then. It's a very long way, and my record here is not exactly great having broken the Westy in first practice last year. So I was hoping for better things this year with the Phoenix.
The forecast was for rain, and it so it proved for the Saturday, despite the rest of the country being bathed in sunshine (as my wife took delight in pointing out by text at regular intervals!).

Qualy was a bit of a disappointment. It was very wet and I kept dropping back to find some space out of the spray but it wasn't working. I tucked in behind Dan for a bit and was keeping pace with him but never really got a proper strung together lap. Ended up close to the back with a time in the 1:16s when the leading class F cars were in the 1:13s.
The race was very wet. I think it was probably as wet as I've ever experienced it. Certainly comparable to the Birkett. Still, I managed to get ahead of a few cars at the start as Ben turned right 200yards too soon. I then got passed Austen as he missed a gear, and was in the chase to keep up with Lee. I was keeping pace, but the spray was unbelievable (see the video from Austen's car - although even that doesn't show it as bad as it looked for me!). I was effectively blind turning into the right kink which is about 90mph in the wet. The only way I knew where to turn was to follow the rain light of the car in front which was about 50 yards away so not that close! If you get it wrong there, well..I won't dwell on that!
This racing lark is a fine line between sheer exhilaration and sheer terror sometimes. I think I crossed that line a few times in that race.
Anyway, much to my dismay, Austen, who was much closer behind me than I thought, hadn't failed to notice that I was braking about a hundred yards too soon for the first corner which is a slow corner after a long straight. This was because I couldn't see where the road was (not a wholly unreasonable course of action, I thought!). Anyway, after a couple of laps of that, Austen made a brave move up the inside and got past me.
Despite trying to get him straight back, I just wasn't brave enough and settled for the 6th in class. (Austen went on to get past Lee as well for a well deserved 4th in class).
I must say, given the conditions, there were no crashes or damage of any sort to anyone in that race which is testament to everyone's skillful driving and a great relief.

So my best lap time in the race, in wetter conditions than qualifying, was 1:15.0.
I can put that improvement from qualy down to both the change of set up that Tim did (removed the anti-roll bars), my learning the track as I went on, and the fact that I was chasing a faster car. I must say, to blow my own trumpet just a little - not my style I know, but humour me! - Tim Gray, in the Pulsar, which is quite comparable to the Phoenix, and has more power than me, managed a best time just 6 tenths quicker. Mind you, even he only managed 3rd in class with that, and Lee and Austen and I were only 1.5 tenths apart. So it was all very close indeed. They do say the rain is a great leveler - and so it proved. And I was delighted to be up there in the fight.

Sunday's race was a bit of a let down, sadly. Despite the promise of a dry race, I suffered from a slipping clutch after the first lap and was forced to retire. Ironically, the dry race saw far more attrition than the wet race with various retirements including Derek and JC and Lee. I can't help thinking that, had I maintained my relative pace to Lee in the dry that I did in the wet, I could have ended up 3rd in class as Austen admitted that he was struggling with a misfire in the last few laps. Also since Tim was not racing for points, that would have been a 2nd in class. Oh well, life's full of might-have-beens, eh! and it works both ways over a season.

So, the good news was a great race in the wet, the bad a retirement on Sunday, but all in all a pretty good weekend.

I'm off to Cadwell on October 8th/9th for the season finale. My favourite circuit. Hope it's dry.

Austen's video here (I'm no 15 - I appear at about 40s in. Oh and watch out at about 5-6mins - it gets very slidey!!).

Silverstone 2011 - wet again!

2011-08-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

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.

Snetterton May 11 - Oh dear! Pistn' broke

2011-05-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

You've got to laugh haven't you. New car, new track, a test session done on the Friday to get the feel for it. Full of excitment and optimism for a great race. Then the engine destroys itself in practice and that was that.
Never has the expression pistn' broke been so appropriate!

Here's the new car being lovingly cared for (before I broke it)

It can never be too clean can it! All part of the service at TGM!
And here's a rare shot of the Phoenix actually on the move! (well done Dan for getting that one!).

So anyway - another weekend down to experience.
I have to say that watching RGB races is great isn't it. Motors TV don't know what they are missing. It's full of battles going on all down the field and some great on the limit racing. Beats BTCC any day.
The big story of the weekend for me was Paul Rickers' performance. He has really shown that he is in the top league this weekend. What a drive! He held off the acknowledged might of the Jones meister and put himself right up there in the same league. Great stuff.
It gives me some encouragement for the future. I know that my Phoenix is capable of winning because we've all seen how good Duncan was in it, but to see Paul, who I have considered a close rival for a couple of seasons now, stepping up like that makes me think that I can do that too.

So hopefully, if I can find an engine in time, I'll be there at Donington.
Hope it's as busy as Snett was. See y'all there.
(Just realised - I'm going to have to change the name of my blog aren't I. Any suggestions?)

Post Brands News

2011-04-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

Well, as a mentioned to a few people at Brands, I had some interest in the Westy from someone over the winter which came to nothing, but the guy called me on the Thurday before Brands and asked if my car was still for sale as he had just sold his and had cash waiting. I didn't know what I would buy instead so I said I'd have a chat with a few people to get some ideas about what might be avialable. Tim Gray had some ideas about a spare Phoenix he was building, but it wouldn't be ready for Snetterton. Then Tim thought that Duncan might still be interested in selling his Phoenix. Of course I didn't have to think about that for long.
So by Friday the deal was done. The Westy is on it's way to Devon for a life of hillclimbing and occassional road use. I am now the proud owner of Duncan's Phoenix which I sat in for the first time on Friday morning at Tim's place.
So I will be at Snetterton. New car, new circuit. New class. Hang on while I think of some excuses why I won't be as quick as Dunc. Seriously, it will be a challenge to get up to pace, but I honestly can't wait.
I'm really looking forward to the challenge of matching guys like Austen and Paul Rickers.
May do a test day before.

It feels like the end of an era for me. I've never raced anything other than the Westy. I've driven a few other things on track but never raced them, so it is quite a change. I'm no natural talent so it may take a bit of getting used to. I'm sure it's the right thing to do though. The class A is clearly withering, and whilst it has been good in a way to get a couple of 2nd in classes, it's a hollow victory when there are only 3 of you!
So I'm going to mix it with the big boys and see how we get on!
See you at Snett.

Brands April 11 - Double header.

2011-04-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

I seem to say this every time now, but that was the best weekend's racing ever. It just gets better and better.

I won't bore you with the fine detail, but the highlights for me were are superb battle in race 1 with Austen. We spent virtually the entire race practically glued to each other. The closest racing ever. I seemed to be gaining around most of the circuit but lost out in the drag down the start/finish straight. It used to be the other way round so I'm not sure what's going on there!

Austen got most of it on video - here. Keep an eye on the rear view camera!

Race 2 highlight was a great start from me and a cheeky move past Colin up the inside at Graham Hill. I couldn't quite believe I pulled that off, and Colin was even more surprised. Sadly I let him past again later in the race at Paddock, but it didn't stop it being a really exciting race.
Of course the main attention was on Tim Gray who started at the back in Richard Wise's Sabre and stormed through the field like a man possessed. He came past me drifting it round Copse on the inside of me. I did think for a split second that he was actually losing it, but no, of course not. The guy is a genius. I real pleasure to watch. I almost wish I was watching that race rather than being in it, just to see Tim's performace (almost but not quite!).

It was great to see so many newcomers this weekend. There is a genuine feeling that RGB is the place to be at the moment and it has a great atmosphere. We are getting some great right ups in Autosport as well which is encouraging.

Here's some pics:

I have some news about my future as well. I'll do another post for that.
I will be at Snetterton. See y'all there.

Start of 2011 Season - April Showers!

2011-04-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

Here we go again! I am. as they say, revved up and ready to go for a new season.
I'm sticking with the Westy for another season. There's not much to say about my winter off-season. To sum it up, I tried but didn't sell it. Got a new nose cone. Cleaned it. Handed it over to Tim Gray. That's it. (more on the Tim Gray experience later).

So Mallory then.
Highlights of the day for me...6th in the allcomers (18 starters), which was 5th on handicap although no one explained how that worked!), oh yes and I beat Tim Hoverd in a race following an overtake down the inside through the esses (career high that!), and 11th overall in RGB and, best ever result,...2nd in class, and in the wet! Unbelievable.

Actually it's not that unbelievable. I didn't beat any other RGB cars in the allcomers, and Tim H is still getting the set up on his car sorted. (He did then beat me in the RBG race).
The RGB race was probably my most improved drive so far. There had been a torrential downpour just before we went out so the track was very wet and there was lots of spray. Tim Gray worked his magic on the set up and the car felt really balanced and I could push it where I could not have done before without swapping ends very quickly. I got past Ben round Gerrards and, towards the end of the race even caught David Wale. That made me 2nd in class (out of 4). Even got a trophy!

Really pleased with that. My times in the wet were vastly improved from the last time out in the wet here (a 1.01 compared to a 1.05). Best dry time of the day was 51.63 in the allcomers which is only a slight improvement on my 2009 time, but I'll take anything I can get!

I'm really enjoying doing the 'gentleman driver' thing with Tim Gray. I have finally had to admit that I need help with the prep and set up of the car and having a team look after me on the day was a real luxury. Hopefully a bit of Tim's driving talent will rub off on me as well. We'll see.

So, a pretty good start to the season I reckon. See you all at Brands for the next exciting installment!

My first ever 2nd in Class cup. Don't I look proud!!

Team photo:

A Review of My 2010 Season

2010-11-13T03:31:00.000-08:00

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.

Birkett, Silverstone 2010

2010-11-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

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.

Snetterton September 10

2010-09-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

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

Silverstone August 2010 - It's August, of course it's raining!

2010-08-31T00:32:00.000-07:00

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!

Pride of place in the Tim Gray camp.

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!

Pembrey and a tale of woe.

2010-08-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

I should get some stripes for my Bongo!

Helpfully translated into 3 languages!

Anyway, enough waffle. See you all at Silverstone.

Cadwell Park, July 2010

2010-07-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

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.

Going over the Mountain.

Trying to keep Austen behind me going over the Mountain.

June 2010 Brands

2010-06-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

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 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!

Brands Hatch April 24th & 25th 2010

2010-04-27T01:28:00.000-07:00

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!

A Slight Diversion - Palmer Sports Day 25th March

2010-04-05T03:04:00.000-07:00

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...

First race of 2010 - Snetterton 14th March.

2010-03-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

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).

2010 Racing Dates

2010-03-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

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.

Snetterton test day 5th March

2010-03-07T01:04:00.000-08:00

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!

Off Season Update

2010-01-06T12:16:00.000-08:00

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.

Birkett 6hr Relay, Silverstone, 24th October

2009-10-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

I decided this year that I would dip my toe in the water with the 6hr relay and join the 'RGB PUPS' being all the new boys in RBG this year.
This is a big event with about 55 teams of all sorts of different cars, both road and pure racecars and of course all differing speeds. It promised to be exciting racing because of the differentials in speed and, in theory at least, the RGB cars (of which there were 4 teams) should be amongst the quickest on the track.
Unfortunately for us, the theory was blown by the weather. The conditions were dreadful for almost the entire race with constant rain.
Ok, here goes racing driver excuse no.23 - RGB cars are too light, and the tyres too crap in the wet for us to get any grip at all. All the 'tin tops' could drive round us like we were standing still.

I must say it was quite an experience. The grip was almost non-existent. I managed to spin during each of my 3 sessions - each time at Copse. This earned me a few comments back in the pits! On at least two occassions my spins were compete 360s - I meant to do that of course - just to keep the crowds interested!
I know I have done a couple of other races in the wet, but this was a real challenge for me. For my readers who don't race, driving in the wet in a very light car with lots of power and very poorly adapted tyres is a bit like...well scary for one thing. You know how you can balance a broom handle, end on, on the end of your finger quite easily. Now try it with a pencil! That's a bit like the difference between driving in the dry - where you have a progressive loss of grip on the limit which allows you to correct with gentle steering corrections - and driving in the wet where a loss of grip usually means a sudden and complete loss of control and maybe a spin.
If you happen to be close to a barrier at the time you have no chance of avoiding damage.
Fortunately for me, the worst grip was either at Copse where there is loads of run off, so a spin is not catastophic, or at the Luffield hairpin where the track was very greasy but at least you are going very slowly anyway so a spin is usually quite gentle as was the case with quite a few cars in front of me on several occassions. The scariest corner was Woodcote which is normally where you are accelerating hard onto the straight in fifth. In the wet this was a very delicate point where a tad too much on the throttle sent you into oversteer and if you don't catch it you can spin straight into the pit wall at 70-80mph. I had a couple of sideways moments there but just managed to stay out of trouble.
One of the telling few laps that I did during one of my sessions was behind a Locost car. Normally these can't keep up with us because they don't have the power, but in the wet it was a great leveler. I spent a couple of laps following this Locost and we were clearly both having the same problem with lack of grip as we gracefully slid round the corners at the same time. As soon as I pulled off line slightly to try to power past, I simply could not get the power down. The car would wheelspin all the way up to 5th, and I had to be so sensitive on the throttle that I was no quicker than the Locost even on the straight. The track did dry a bit during that session allowing me to get past on the straight, only for me to go into Copse a tad too quickly and spin again. Doh!

Anyway, the good thing is, we all finished without any damage. We were well down the field, and I don't even know what my lap times where, but we can put that one down to experience and have another go next year.

Some pictures to follow.

Well that's it for this season. Catch up with me next year!

Mallory again - 11th October

2009-10-17T06:24:00.000-07:00

Well that was an interesting day.
Lots of track time, but I'm not sure that I've really improved at all since last time.

I entered the allcomers race as well as RGB this time which meant an extra practice as well. The morning practice sessions and the allcomers race were wet. I have had very little experience in the wet..and it showed.
I had a 'memorable' moment in practice when I span exiting the essess. That is a very modest left hand kink where you would not even think of losing it. However there was oil on the track and it was exceptionally wet. I did a 180 degree spin straight down the middle of the track, fortunately without hitting the grass, and ended up facing the wrong way. There was nothing immediately behind me so a quick spin round and back up to speed without much drama, but on reflection I was very lucky not to do any damage.
Still, I managed to make the 5th row for the allcomers. I was expecting to get lots of practice overtaking slower cars. Rather embarrasingly it didn't quite work out like that. I was overtaken into the essess by an MR2 and then an MG Midget!! Racing driver excuse no.43 - heavier cars are better in the wet!!
Anyway, as the track dried a little bit I did at least catch them up, but failed to get past them. My lap times were quicker than them in the end but they beat me fair and square. Not a good boost to my ego!

Anyway, on to the RGB race which was dry by then. Not my greatest performance. I dropped back from the leading pack a bit on the first lap and then spent the rest of the race trying to catch up. Being mainly out on my own it was a bit of a dull race. That may reflect in my lap times. I did a 52.23. I've done 51s here in the summer. I think everyone's times were a bit slower, maybe something to do with the weather being cooler, but I think also that I wasn't in an immediate battle with anyone.

So in the end i was 14th on the track and 4th in class (a par performance given that Derek was a DNF).

So that's it for the RGB championship.
I've ended up 5th in class and 16th (or maybe 15th = if i'm being generous). That's out of 10 in class and about 30 odd regular competitors overall so exactly mid field really!
Not bad I reckon, given that I have done nothing in terms of set up on this car and am still learning. Oh yes, and I'm the highest placed front engined class A car! That's got to be worth something hasn't it!

Maybe next season I can step it up a bit. I'm going to have to come up with a plan over the winter to make some step changes in my performance.

Before that I have the Birkett relay which is a 6 hour event at Silvertone on the 24th October.
6 cars, 6 hours with all types of cars, both road legal and race only cars. There are a bunch of RGB teams so it should all be very close. Looking forward to that.

Snetterton again, 20th September

2009-09-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

Well this just gets better and better.
No trophy this time, but the best ever track position (8th) and the most exciting race ever.
Oh yes, and we are going to be on the telly.

I did the bikesport race again this time, mainly for the practice as it doesn't count in the championship, but I need all the practice I can get and it was pretty good value.
The race was 30 minutes - the longest race I have done so far, and it was quite interesting. Obviously all but the novice bikesports cars were much quicker than the RGB cars with their aero and slicks, but I had a great battle with Paul R. Our cars are very well matched although I reckon Paul has maybe half a second a lap on me when he is really on it. I was right behind him on the grid and stayed with him for about the first 6 laps. I even had a little go at getting past him into Russell at one point.
I then thought about what an immense strain I was putting on the car keeping up that pace and thought if I was going to get past him we might take each other off, and ruin my RGB race. So I backed off just a tad. I started to short shift, and brake a bit earlier. Once I had decided to back off, Paul disappeared ahead. I was then out on my own. I stuck with it to the end but actually it was very boring. I should have come in really but just couldn't bring myself to give up.
Interesting phycology going on there! A race for points and a trophy is far more exciting than one without. Go figure!

Anyway, on to the main gig.
Qualified in 10th position which means 5th row on the grid - equal to my best.
And oh what a race.
I found myself in a 4 way battle with Colin, Henry and Richard, all class C leaders. My power advantage kept me up there with them despite my lack of speed through some, but not all, of the corners.
I got past Richard who then did a mad lunge into Russell to get past me which ended in him collecting the tyres somewhat terminally.

I was then following an epic battle between Colin and Henry. At one point, when Henry had got ahead of Colin, I managed to get a nose ahead of Colin down the straight only for him to outbrake me and drive round the outside of me into the essess. A humbling lesson in how to take that corner!
The rest of the race was a masterclass for me in how to drive Snetterton. I stayed with Colin and Henry as they swapped positions several times. I was thinking that I was unlikely to get past these two unless they take each other off.

Then on the last corner of the last lap Henry made another mad lunge and went off, long enough for me to get past and take 8th.

I was 4th in class A.

I can't tell you how good it felt to have been part of such a great race. It brought a lump to my throat! Not as exciting as Colin's race though who got his first class win. I hadn't realised at the time that the battle I was in the thick of was actually the class C front runners, but I felt quite honoured to have been part of it.

So, all in all, a good day.
Looking at the lap times I am still well off the leading pace (1.19s compared to 1.14s) but the 3 class A leaders (and normally 4 but Doug was not there) are mid engined cars so there is no way I could match that. There are some front engined class B cars doing 1:17s which is where I reckon I ought to be, but clearly I have much to learn to knock 2 seconds off my times. Maybe some of that is in the set up of the car, maybe not.
Anyway, one thing I can say is that I am currently the leading class A front engined car. That's got to be worth something hasn't it?
Maybe I should go mid engined next season. Actually I'm enjoying the challenge of pushing myself and my car as far as I can and I don't think I'm there yet. I'm enjoying the ride though.

Oh, p.s. - the day was televised by Motors TV (Sky). Haven't seen it yet. No doubt it will end up on Youtube somehow. I'll post a link when it does.

Mallory again next and then the Birkett.

Silverstone 22nd August 2009

2009-08-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

I got a trophy! Whoopee!!

Ok calm down. It was only a 3rd in class, and that was only because two of the class A leaders broke down. But hey! you know what they say, if you want to finish first, first you've got to finish! I know that cliche doesn't work for third but you know what I mean.

Quite a good day all in all. Although saying that I feel slightly disapointed that my lap times are stubbornly about the same as last time out here (1:07s). I could call on racing driver excuse number 37, oil on the track at a crucial point at Becketts, but actually the truth is I am just not getting it right yet in the crucial fast corners.

Anyway, some memorable moments.

In practice I had a interesting view from the back of Phil's car as it exploded in a cloud of white smoke. I have never seen an engine give way in quite such dramatic fashion. The car was completely engulfed in dense white smoke for a couple of hundered yards along the pit straight. So much so that Phil must have been blinded for most of it. Well done Phil for not losing it. I moved over to avoid him but still got covered in oil.

The race was quite eventful as well. Having had a frankly hopeless qualifying I was 22nd on the grid (out of 29) which means I was starting slightly on a bend at Woodcote. On the lights I got a blinder of a start (for me, that is) and gained at least 4 places. Then bunched up with the pack into Becketts only to see a whole lot of carnage going on in front. David Wale's car was very badly damaged and several others were losing bits left right and centre. I picked a line through the middle as best I could and remarkably I went through unscathed. Quite unbeleivable now that I think about it. Anyway I was thinking, great I must be at least in the top ten now. Sadly, an inevitably of course, it was not to be. The red flags came out and we reformed the grid as we had started. Back to 22nd (well about 20th of those that survived).

I had a great start again but found myself in a little battle with a couple of class c cars who were annoyingly quick. Actually I had a great dice with Damian. He was trying just a tad too hard though and span off a couple of times. I managed to remain slow but consistent and stayed ahead!

One point that I was annoyed with myself about was that I lost a lot of ground to the pack ahead of me under yellow flags. I thought you were supposed to back off a bit under yellows. It seems that if anyone else did it was undetectable. (sorry - there I go again - racing driver excuse number 38).

Anyway, bottom line is I finished 11th on the track having gained 11 places from my starting position, and 3rd in class. So I was chuffed with that.

My wife and daughter, and my mate Joe turned up to witness my moment of glory so that was good.

No damage or problems with the car so looking forward to Snetterton in September.

Oh by the way, a footnote that makes me feel rather sober. For much of the morning before practice I was watching a plane doing aerobatics in the skies directly above us which was facsinating and awe inspiring. After practice I didn't see it again.

I've just read in the Sunday papers that, at about the time we were out in practice, that plane crashed and the pilot died...

Mallory Park. 2nd August 09

2009-08-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

I think this weekend qualifies as one of the best ever. Not so much in terms of absolute results, but in terms of some great, close battles on the track.

Just for the record, I had two races, with a 16th place (5th in class) and a 12th place (4th in class) with my best lap time of the day of 51.64 in the second race.

It was another example of a very close field. I noticed that I have knocked about a second off my time when I first raced here. If I knocked another second off my time I ought to be getting about 4 places up the grid, but I would still only be about the 4th quickest in class A. So I have a lot of work to do to be consistently getting even a regular 3rd in class.

Still, as I say, the absolute result is not what it's about. Both races were exceptionally close and the just the best fun. The second race was especially exciting as I was behind Andy Grant most of the time and I knew I was quicker on the track, but I just could not find a way past (even though Austen did which was rather depressing!). There's some good video of this from Austen's car at this link (health warning - watching in-car video is very boring unless you were there!!).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVXukh94pIs&feature=player_embedded

Sadly the video misses my major drifting moment into Gerrards. From where I was sitting it felt like I was on full opposite lock for half the corner, but it probably looks like a imperceptable twitch on film. Shame. That was my one failed attempt to dive up the inside in a heroic overtaking manouvre into Gerrards which sadly failed. Hey ho!

So areas for improvement as always - 1.race craft. Must learn to be a little braver and overtake now and then. 2. must learn about suspension set up.

I've now bought a book re point 2. Off to read up on it now.

Silverstone next. Can't wait.

Oh by the way, I was just giving that upstart Mr Hamilton a few tips the other day when he popped in to my Baker Street place...

20th June - Brands again

2009-06-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

Check out some pics at this link:
http://www.rgb-racing.org.uk/rgbbb/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=270#p1865

What a roller coaster ride this motor racing lark is. After the disaster with the diff last time I was pretty despondent about the whole thing, but this weekend has restored my faith!

I got a 10th place in the RGB race (equalling my best ever so far) and had a great race with the bikesports before that where I managed by best ever lap time (53.36s) knocking nearly 0.6s off my previous best time here.

I know that doesn't sound much, but if I could keep that pace up for a whole race I would be in the running for a top 5 finish. I know I've still got a lot to learn but I really feel that I'm getting better.

A quick update on the diff problem. It turned out to be entirely down to my own poor preparation. A prop shaft mounting worked loose, causing the diff casing to break. The prop shaft then damaged the chassis around it. So one new diff casing, a lot of re-welding of the chassis and a big cheque later the car is ready to go. I have strict instructions from Steve at Spirit Automotive to keep everything tight from now on!

So, despite feeling financially bruised, I see no point in spending the money to fix the car and then not using it, so I signed up for the additional 2 races in the bikesports series that were on offer. So that's going to be 2 qualifying sessions and 3 races in one day. There won't be much time for fixing anything if it goes wrong this time! Mind you, we have the luxury of using the garages and the scutineers come to us rather than us having to queue for hours to see them. I could get used to that! Like being a proper racing driver!

First up is the bikesports qualifying. Fairly luke warm performance. End up 11th on the grid. Not my best lap time by a long way. I had my excuses lined up. Tyres too cold, not been out for 6 weeks, new brake pads, blah, blah...

Quick check of the nuts and bolts aroung the diff. Mmm. Bit of a worry. All the mounting bolts are loose already! I only have about an hour at most, so a very quick spanner check all round and off to the RGB qualifying.

Slight improvement in the lap time this session, but only 14th on the grid. As I mentioned earlier, the 7 cars in front of me are all seperated by less than 3/4 of a second! This is going to be a tight race!

Spanner check again. This is a worry as the diff bolts are working loose after very session.

I'll have to find a way to fix that.

So, on to the first bikesports race.

Bikesports, by the way, are cars with similar engines to RGB, but are allowed modifications, wings and slicks. The quickest of them are doing under 47s laps. We have about 7 RGB cars doing this race though so I won't be on my own at the back.

Well the result sheet doesn't really tell the story this time. I only managed 11th but what an exciting race. I manage my usual trick of messing up the start and letting a slower car through which, somewhat ironically in this case was one of the bikesports cars. Anyway, after a heroic overtaking manouvre up the inside into Druids (ooh- sounds like a proper racing driver thing to say doesn't it!) I get past and then the race is on to catch Bob and Austen who have gained about the length of the straight ahead of me. To my surprise I can tell that I am indeed closing the gap and being out on my own I can take some clean lines rather than worrying about defending every corner. By the last lap I reckon I have a good chance of getting past Bob. Going into the last corner before the straight I am getting a bit over excited and lose some time with some rather wasteful oversteer (which Bob had captured rather well on his in car video here-http://www.rgb-racing.org.uk/rgbbb/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=270#p1850 -you have to go all the way to the end though!).
I gain a bit on the straight and we cross the line together. I honestly could not tell whether I had got past or not. As it happens, I was 0.04s behind him. I didn't mind too much - it was a superb feeling having such a close race.

Bob has since told me that he had a fuel problem on the last lap which is why I caught him so quickly at the end. And here's me thinking it was my skill. Doh! Nevertheless, my best lap was 53.36s which is a fantastic improvement for me. Dead chuffed with that.

My RBG race next. I was pleased with my start this time. I think I gained at least 2 places into the first corner. I knew this was going to be close racing but it has been a while since I've been in the thick of it like this. Great stuff!

I got an extra boost when Al Boulton and Colin Chapman span in front of me. So I'm thinking that's 4 places gained! Fantastic! Trouble is, Al went and spoiled my fun by catching me up rather too quickly for my liking. So two steps forward and one step back! Then Steve Robinson has a problem. Colin Chapman was looming in my mirrors so the last lap was a defensive game but I did indeed hold him off.

So, 10th on the track. Best ever result. Ok, only 5th in class but there are a lot of class A cars these days! Pleased with that.

I only have about half an hour before the last bikesports race. I am worried about the diff mountings so another quick spanner check. Sadly one of the bolts appears to have threaded and I can't tighten it. There is no way I'm going to risk running like that, and there is no time to fix it so that's that for the day.

I was thinking, whilst trying to stay awake watching the Grand Prix. Who's the better driver, Button or Hamilton? Obviously the car makes up 80% of the result so we will probably never know. The best driver is probably the one squeezing half a second a lap more out of a bad car than the car really ought to be capable of at the back of the field.

So, and humour me here, where does that put me in the RGB league? Obviously we all know Derek is the best driver, no question, but below that? I reckon the usual suspects in the top 5 are genuinely in the top league and are not there just because they have the quickest cars. But could it be that I am actually not a bad driver, I am just struggling with a badly set up car?

Well probably not, but I can dream can't I? Being a good racing driver is about knowing what the car is doing wrong and being able to at least communicate that to someone who can fix it if not doing it oneself. Sadly that aspect of racing is like a whole chapter I haven't got to yet. But I reckon I am at least getting to the point where I think those last 2 seconds a lap could be gained as much by setting up the car properly rather than just my driving.

Anyway, I will get the car ready for Mallory with renewed vigour and see if I can at least finish some more races. Can't wait!

Brands Hatch April 09

2009-04-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

Well that weekend was good while it lasted.
Cruelly cut short by a broken diff.

Still, looking on the bright side, I had a good qualifying session and half an exciting race.

Having had a rain shower early on Saturday I thought we might be in for a wet qualifying, but for once the forecast was right and it was sunny by 9am. I got out on track about mid field and got stuck behind some slightly slower cars, but managed to get past (under a blue flag as it happens which doesn't happen to me often!)
I was really pushing on through Clearways which is an area where I reckon I can improve my time (the other one being paddock). I can get lots of oversteer through there which means I can get on the power early for the straight. It works, and it's great fun. I did have one major sideways moment on one lap-definitely not the fastest way round a corner, but it gets the adrenaline flowing!

Anyway, I end up with a best lap of 53.9 which is half a second quicker than I've ever done before round here. I am within a few tenths now of my nephew, Oliver's time when he drove this car here. But then he's a natural, and he probably wasn't trying very hard!

More importantly I was 12th on the grid for the race - row 6 - which is my best qualifying position ever (so far!). I was dead chuffed with that.

Back in the paddock I found an oil leak which was, thankfully, easily fixed, and a quick spanner check revealed some very loose nuts and bolts in the drive shaft which was a bit of a worry, but again, easily fixed.

On to the race then. It was quite a novelty to be sitting on the grid with only five rows of cars in front. I could almost plan my trajectory off the line stright up the outside of 5 cars at once to a heroic win. Sorry, daydreaming there. The reality was more like, when the lights went out I went backwards 3 places (relatively speaking of course although I woudn't put it past me to select reverse on the grid!). Too much wheelspin. I really need to practice those starts!

So now I'm chasing the same cars I was qualifying with. A good dice but frustrating because the first few laps are under a yellow flag at clearways which is where I'm most likely to be able to overtake, so the leaders pull away.
Then, on lap 8, I'm approaching paddock at full chat and suddenly it sounds like someone's shaking a bag of spanners behind my head. I have visions of the drive shafts coming loose and bashing me on the head. I then realise that that is not happening so it must be the diff. I find out later that at this point I am spraying oil all over the guy behind, but I didn't know that at the time, but I did know it sounded terminal. So I pulled off as soon as I could.
Sure enough the diff has sprayed oil all over the place and is clearly broken.

What is great about the RGB lot is their enthusiasm to help. Unfortunately no one had a spare diff so that was that for my weekend. Doubly dissapointing since I missed the second RGB race on the Sunday and the 2 bikesports races that I entered (for the experience).

So back home with my broken toy. I'm not out again until June so I've got time to get it fixed.
I'll be back!

I've since found out about Paul Rogers' story of his weekend with his new car. He totally rebuilt has engine on Friday night after testing on Friday - had problems on Saturday with a mechanical fault, and then went on to win on Sunday. Makes my efforts sound rather pathetic!
Once again, I am in awe of the RGB guys (and girl). All the more pleasing that I'm even in the game.

Snetterton 14th & 15th March 2009

2009-03-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic weekend that was.

I managed to finish both races, improve my lap times from last time I was here, and get a top 10 position in a race for the first time ever - oh yes, and I have now completed 6 races which means I can ditch my novice badge!

I know how boring these blogs can be so I'll keep it short (I mainly write them for my own benefit anyway so I won't be offended if you skip the rest!).

Qualifying went reasonably well, apart from the minor issue of not pinning my bonnet down and having to fix it in the pit lane. Anyway, that fixed I was reasonably tentative being the first time out this year but the car felt pretty good. I couldn't detect any loss of power due to the cat, and everything was holding together.

In a way the problem with the bonnet did me a favour because I was half a lap down on everyone else for the session which meant I was well out of the way when a few cars had a big off at the bomb hole and dumped a load of oil on the track. It got a bit slippy so that was the end of that as far as getting a good time was concerned.

So I qualified fairly consistently on 16th and 15th (out of 26) on the grid (1:21:93 and 1:22:06).

In the first race we had a red flag on lap one. I didn't mind too much - I got a terrible start anyway! Second time round was a bit better. I forget how bloody quick this car is. If I get the start right I can easily keep up with the pack. Trouble is it all gets very messy at the first corner and my survival instinct means I tend to back off a bit which just lets people through. I suppose it has allowed me to avoid any damage so far, but I spend the next few laps getting past slower cars and letting the rest of the pack get away.

Race 1 was a long one - 23 mins plus a lap (it should have been 28mins but for the restart). It was a great race for me but at least four cars went off for one reason or another. Anyway I managed to finish 10th which is my best finish ever (out of 17 finishers). I was 4th in class which I was very pleased with (although someone will no doubt kindly point out that of the cars that finished I was last in class!). My best lap was 1:19:56, so I achieved my aim of beating my best time of 1:19.7.

Sunday's race was equally exciting for me. I end up 11th (4th in class again) and did a 1:19:41 so that time is creaping down. Another second off that and I'll be up with Mr Carter (fat chance!).

Anyway, I'm starting to feel as though I'm getting the hang of this. I can still see where I could gain some time. I could carry more speed into Corner 1 for instance, and it understeers like my Fiat 500 on a wet roundabout round Corum, so maybe I can work on that. But on the whole, I'm chuffed to bits.

It was good to have an evening out with the guys on Saturday. How about £2.99 for a full roast dinner? It's cheaper than not going out.

Also, first time I've camped out in the car. That went well. No really - it was very cosy! Who need a motorhome eh?

Anyway, looking forward to Brands.

Check out this video from race1 (that's me on the left most of the time in the picture):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqXS9SbV0d4&feature=player_embedded

Car's ready - all set to go!

2009-03-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

Just picked up the Westy from PDQ. My seat is now fixed. I have suffered from a very wobbly seat up until now. I was picked up on it by scrutineering at Mallory and I have been told by people who know about these things that fixing it will make me quicker.
The problem is it is difficult to support the shoulders as they are above the level of the rear bulkhead so there is nothing to fix it to at the top of the seat. Anyway, Larry has reinforced the seat itself and then fixed some aluminium braces at shoulder level. It is now more rigid than..well, insert your own joke here.. but I am very pleased with it.

I'll post some pictures when I get round to it.

So, all ready for Snetterton this weekend (14th + 15th March). My aim is to improve last year's lap time (assuming it's dry of course) and get a good race. Let's hope this season goes better than last year. Here goes...

Pre 2009 Season update

2009-01-25T08:13:00.000-08:00

Jan 24th 2009.

Well if you read my Mallory blog at the end of last season (see below), you might not be too surprised if I'd packed it all in by now. But I still have my job, and I have had some professional help (with the car I mean, mind you..there's a thought). Anyway, I did what I should have done last summer and took the Westy to Larry at PDQ to try to find the electrical fault. He has a rolling road so could easily test if the car was fixed.

Well, as if to show me what an muppet I am, the problem was fixed easily. Traced to a bad earth connection which was hidden under the scuttle. Simple as that. Fixed for a few hours worth of labour! I'll know next time.

Time to think about the things I need to do for the 2009 season.

The main regs change is the need for a cat. Larry suggests a second hand one off a new bike. Lots of bikers ditch their cats on new bikes (apparently a pointless excercise as it makes no difference whatsoever but it's a biker thing).

So a second hand cat is acquired and fitted very neatly into the existing system. (see pic).

I also need to fix my seat so it's more rigid. Larry is sorting out some additional reinforcement for my current fibreglass seat, and I will probably pack it out behind with some foam behind the seat.

Still need to sort out the front tow eye and some foam protection on the roll bar and we're nearly there.

I reckon I can get to Snetterton in March which is a double header so that's the plan.

I reckon there are going to be more class A cars this year so my chances of getting a class place are going to be slimmer this year but you never know. Let's hope I actually get to finish a few races before I worry about that.

Mallory Park, 12th October

2008-10-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit lax in keeping up with my blog since Donington. Too depressed I think!

To catch up briefly - I replaced my masterswitch for Silverstone and hoped for the best. Frustratingly, that was not the solution and I managed only about 4 laps in practice. Despite plenty of better brains than mine having a quick look I could find no obvious answer and had the same problem after about 3 laps in the race. After the race Andy Bates had a quick look and found a 'clicking' relay which he suggested I changed for a new one.
Having changed the relay I booked a test day at Sliverstone and went to test if that had done the trick. Sadly not. I noticed another 'clicking' relay which was in fact the fuel pump relay. I couldn;t get a new one on the test day so I replaced it in time for Mallory and hoped for the best.

So at Mallory I am reasonably confident that I have found the problem. But no. Same thing happened. After about 3 laps the car shuts down, and the fuel pump relay is clicking away again. Also the starter doesn't work, but the instruments still work so it is not a complete electical shut down.
Andy suggest I hard wire the relay temporarily for the race. So with this done I can start the race.
I'm on the back row having only done 3 warm up laps. I get a reasonable start and avoid some spins on the first lap. I manage to get in front of one other car within the first lap. On the second lap, half way round Gerrards, the dam thing pack in again!
I'm too frustrated for words now.

This car needs some serious surgery! I'm not sure where to start but I know it will involve parting with some cash!

So what a disasterous season. I've only finished 2 races. I've made some stupid mistakes and had some appalling luck with reliability. Actually it probably has nothing to do with luck. It's bad preparation by an amatuer with no expert knowledge.
I am seriously questioning whether an individual with a very limited budget and no expertese can expect to take part in this sport.

Well we'll see. I'm not giving up yet. Watch this space. As long as I still have a job next season I'll be out there again...somehow!

Donington July 20th

2008-07-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

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!

July 22nd Brands Hatch

2008-06-25T04:49:00.000-07:00

I think the less said about this weekend the better.
I turn up, get the car off the trailer - realise there is no clutch!

Doh!

No one had a spare - so back on the trailer and off I go home again.
Another one down to experience I guess.

Looking forward to Donington. Or maybe i'll just take up fishing or something!

Brands Hatch 19th & 20th April

2008-04-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

An encouraging start to the season, I reckon.

I must admit I was not looking forward to another wet weekend. From my brief experience at Silverstone last year, I am not good in the wet. Still, I need the experience and I reckon Brands won't have the flooding problems that Snetterton had, given that it's so hilly.

So sure enough the practice session on Saturday morning is soaking wet. It wasn't quite as bad as Silverstone though and I manage to stay on the black stuff. Still scary though, and when I come back to the paddock I am shaking like a big girl's blouse.

I have been unable to replace the rear anti-roll bar since Silverstone, and, to be honest, I couldn't really tell the difference to the handling, although I am told that a soft rear end is better in the wet. Anyway, I posted a best lap of 1:04.26 which got me 20th out of 32 on the grid in race 1 and 19th in race 2.

So I am losing at least 10 seconds a lap in the wet - the leading cars are losing about 7 seconds, so I still have a lot to learn!

Saturday afternoon sees slightly clearer skies, but still a bit of a drizzle in the air. Sitting on the grid before the start I remember this time last year which was my first ever race. I'm not quite so nervous as I was, but it still gets the heart beating like nothing else I have ever done. I really want to hold this together. I was pretty useless at starts last year and I have had no practice so my race could be won or lost in the first few seconds!

I'm 20th on the grid, but 4th in class A, and right alongside the 3rd class A car (1st and 2nd are right up the front so no chance of seeing them!). I really want to get into 3rd and try to hold my position. The lights go red, then off (which means go, by the way), and I dump the clutch in a mad frenzy. The start line is on a slight slope down to my right and because the wheels are spinning so much I drift forward at about a 30 degree angle for a few yards. Definitely not the quickest way! As if to punish my crap driving at least 4 cars come past me like I was standing still. Not good. So now I'm playing catch up just to get back to where I was on the grid.

I always lose count of the number of laps I've done, but early in the race I see Steve Robinson (the no2 class A car) on the side. That's good - I have a chance of a top 3 class position now if I can keep going. I wish I hadn't thought that - I'm in the thick of a bunch of cars going into Graham Hill and touch a wheel on the wet grass and spin right across the track to the grass on the other side. Fortunately the barrier is well set back there and I manage to stop, keep the car running and get back on. Not without losing a whole bunch of positions though. Now I really am playing catch up.

I must say though, this is fun. I manage to get past a few of the much slower cars and really sense that I am catching the pack that I was in when I span. Just another lap or two and I'll get them back - but the race is all too short this time and the chequered flag spoils my fun.

Unbelievably, there were 3 class A retirements so I did get that 3rd in class (which is obviously much better than saying I was 19th on the track!). I know it means nothing, but I was quite pleased that my lap times showed I was the 3rd fastest class A car, and had I not spun I had the pace to get 2nd in class. Mind you, most of the cars that are faster than me have less power - so I'll just shut up now!

Actually, no I won't, because Sunday was even more exciting.

Definitely a dry race this time. Not a great start but marginally better than last time. This is really close racing. I've no idea how I manage not to hit someone. Again I was hoping to get ahead of the 3rd place class A car but have failed miserably and now he is a couple of cars ahead. I can't get past a class B car ahead and the pack in front of him is pulling away. I am definitely quicker than the guy in front, but I just can;t quite make that crucial move to get past. It is my closest race yet. I've also got another car in my mirrors the whole time and trying to stop him getting past is distracting me from getting in position to make a move on the guy in front. Frustrating, but at the same time, a fantastic dice.

I notice Buzz has had a big shunt. A sobering moment. He was OK though. The race is stopped and we line up for a re-start. That's good - more practice for me. It worked well for me this time and I gained a few places at the start.

So I end up 17th on the track this time - but only 4th in class as there were fewer casualties this time. It showed on my lap times that I was being held up in the race. I reckon I need some serious race-craft lessons - overtaking being a reasonably fundamental skill in motorracing!

Well that's about all for now - oh except to say that after 2 races I am 8th in the championship - I'm enjoying the moment - it won't last!

This year's dates.

2008-03-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

These are the dates that I hope to do this year.

April 19th and 20th - Brands Hatch
June 22nd - Brands Hatch (two races).
July 20th - Donington
August 23rd - Silverstone
October 12th - Mallory Park.

If you want to come to any of these let me know - I may have some spare tickets.

Snetterton 16th March - A wash out!

2008-03-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well the problems encountered at Silverstone are fixed. A rebalanced prop shaft and a new thingamigig in the whatsiname seems to have done the trick (sorry if that's a bit too technical for you). Anyway, I'm ready and off to Snetterton.

Sunday morning does not bode well. Up at the crack of dawn. Pouring with rain. This is not feeling like fun already! Ho hum. It's all experience in the wet - and boy do I need that.

A very boring 2 and a half hours later; still raining. There is talk of serious delays to practice. I get scutineered anyway. No problems thank goodness.

Waiting in the rain - I did at least manage to get my new numbers on!

3 hours of hanging about and then we are all told to go home. There is standing water on the straight and it is not considered safe.
I wonder how come Silverstone doesn't have that problem.
Well, nothing I can do. Put that one down to experience. I will think twice about even turning up next time though!

Next up - Brands, next month.

Saturday 1st March - Silverstone Track Day

2008-03-02T12:38:00.000-08:00

Saturday 1st March - my first time out this year. I have arranged for my nephew, Oliver Bryant, to come with me and give me some professional tuition (if you haven't heard of him, check out his web site on the link at the top of the page).

Olly's the young good looking one!

Armed with a new oil cooler, and seat (see last years blog -my last race at Snetterton for how I broke my seat), I'm off to Silverstone on a Gold Track track day.

I remember now what I love, and what I hate about track days.

What I love is the chance to see all that exotica in action. It's amazing isn't it. There must be, what, a few hundred 997 GT3 RSs in the country? I reckon nearly all of them where there. It was like a Porsche Club meeting. That's not to mention all the 996 GT3s, a Lambo Mercialago, a couple of Carrera GTs, and more M3s than you could count. Oh and I spotted a new Nissan GTR in the car park.

What amuses me is that these guys are out there in their hunded grand cars, burning up thousand of pounds worth of tyres going as fast as they dare, and here's me in my old bath tub of a Westy worth a few quid, and I can easily keep up with them. There's a certain satisfaction in that for me (not that I wouldn't do the same if I had a shed load of money to play with!).

What I dislike about track days is the fact that you can't do any timing, so you have no idea whether you are improving or not.

Having said that, Oliver is a good instructor and I reckon I picked up a few really good tips, not just for the Silverstone GP circuit, but for everywhere, like how to deal with chronic understeer, and getting in the habit of using all of the track width even if you don't think you need to.

It was an eventful day though to say the least.
Firstly Olly had a set of hemets with an intercom system so that we could talk to each other. Well that was the idea anyway and I'm sure it would work well in a car with a roof - or even a windscreen, but with neither the wind noise was just too much at anything more than cruising pace. So we did our best with hand signals and lots of post- lap briefings.

I then got a bit too brave at Copse and span and rode sideways over the curb. I can't be sure, but it was probably that that broke my rear roll bar. I must admit I didn't notice anything different except a vibration that we both put down to flat spotted tyres, but we were black flagged and had to come in. The remains of the roll bar had snapped and was hanging loose. That in turn must have knocked the rubber boot off the drive shaft and there was diff oil everywhere.

We cobbled together a repair to the drive shaft seal, removed the roll bar and got out there again. We lasted nearly another whole session but then developed a severe vibration which felt bad enough to need to come in and sort out. I got the wheels balanced and did a bit of nut tightening, but one more lap showed it wasn't fixed so we called it a day.
Back to Spirit for a check over before my first race on the 17th. I'm hoping it's just the prop shaft out of balance. We'll see..