Well that was an amazing weekend in many ways, but mostly because Cadwell is such an exciting track.
I must admit that, reflecting on Brands, I was pleased with my performance in the wet, but in the dry I was a little dissapointed that I haven't taken a big leap forward and I was starting to wonder what I have to do to make that breakthrough into the sort of lap times that I should be doing by now (at least a second, if not 2 quicker).
Well I've come away from Cadwell with a big boost to my confidence in that respect. I'm not there yet but I took a huge chunk out of my past lap times here this weekend and I am, as they say, dead chuffed!
So the racing was eventful!
The story of race 1 was set at the start when, way back in 19th on the grid, there were two stallers ahead of me on the grid. I had no choice but to go left onto the grass, and by the time I got back on both Dan and Colin S had got ahead of me and the Austen / Steve Bell race was well out of range. So my race was firstly about getting past Dan, which I eventually managed to do through the fast left hander after the start straight. I then quickly caught up with Colin. Despite a couple of chances, which I messed up, Colin is very good at making his car very wide indeed and I just couldn;t make a move stick, despite both Scott Mittel and, on the last lap, Tim, managing to get past with relative ease.
I just need to be a little more aggressive I think, but I really didn't want to risk contact or worse. So I had to settle for a 5th in class (by a margin of a few tenths of a second!).
Here's the video:
Race 2's start was much better and I quickly got up with Austen and was even running 3rd ahead of Steve Bell for a while although that didn't last long. I was very keen to keep pace with Austen but at the same time I knew I had Steve Robinson and more crucially for class position, Andy Grant behind me. Austen did manage to pull away a bit mid race but I did some great laps later in the race and, coupled with Austen getting held up ahead of him, I was well within sight of him in the closing laps. On the very last lap Steve Robinson pulled a banzai move going into the Mountain, which was very brave of him. Still, as I crossed the finish, I was only 2 seconds behind Austen for a 4th in class. Oh and infront of Andy Grant!
Race 2 video:
So I have a lot to be pleased about there. I did a 1.37, which was 2 seconds quicker than last time out and than my qualifying time. Ok Austen went about half a second quicker that that, but on recent form, I'm very pleased to be that close given that I covet his third places and am determined to take at least one of them off him sometime this season, so I'm getting closer.
The other thing I'm dead chuffed about is beating Andy Grant on the track, fair and square. Sorry to rub it in Andy if you're reading this. I have enormous respect for you and I know you are a quick driver, which makes beating you all the more satisfying.
So, I needed some reaffirmation that I'm still able to improve my driving, and I got it this weekend.
Maybe some of the Tim Gray genius is rubbing off on me after all! (only a tiny bit, mind!).
So second weekend of the season. Brands Hatch.
I had high hopes that I could do well here as it's the circuit I know best. The forecast was for rain all weekend though so anything could happen.
Sure enough, Saturday morning was wet. And cold. I know that 'cause after an hour in the scrutineering queue I couldn't feel my feet any more.
Qualifying was interesting. Here's some video (still a novelty for me this video lark!).
Let's see, two spins, several avoiding of other peoples spins, and lots of sideways moments, but I come through it with a reasonable 4th in class and 14th/13th on the grid for races 1 and 2. Quite pleased with that.
Nothing much to do to the car for the race other than one new tyre. I may not have bothered if it had been dry but the rain clearly wasn't going to stop so it made sense.
Race 1. 14th on the grid. I'm on the outside of the track and I remember from my last wet race here that the outside line around Paddock tends to be grippier in the wet than the inside.
I get an absolutely storming start getting past two rows off the line. Then round paddock and past some attrition straight away. I find myself up with Derek and Al going into Druids and stick with them. Going into Clearways I actually thought for one scary moment that I might even get past Al. This was like one of those parallel universes in quantum theory where everything is the same except,
in this world, James Walker is actually quite talented!
Anyway, this lasted a lap and a half. Going through Surtees for the second time and I caught some deep water and span, and span some more until I was on the grass on the outside of the track facing the wrong way and watching all of my esteemed competitors driving safely by... apart from Austen who had been right behind me and span in sympathy.
For a brief moment I thought I might actually be able to get back on the track before he did and stay ahead. Sadly the grass tends not to offer much grip in the wet and my attempts to get back to the tarmac were at least balletic, but slow. I would have been better off swapping to the Bongo at that point!
Anyway, I got back on eventually but behind just about everyone. What followed was, for me, one of the most exciting drives of my life. I was like a man possessed, determined to catch up. I did in fact manage to get back up to 4th in class, where I started.
Whilst I was pleased with that, and it must have been good to watch, I can't help thinking what might have been if my talent had not run out on lap 2. (to quote Jason Plato commenting on his own spin at Thruxton on the telly later, my little bag of talent wasn't quite as full as I thought it was!).
Enjoy the video highlights:
So that was Saturday. The rain didn't stop for a moment and I was very glad of the TGM motorhome. The evening was fun, spent mostly in the Spire camp for Steve Robinson's birthday celebrations, whilst the wind and rain tried to wash us all away.
Sunday's race was at 4pm so a slow morning was spent, mainly watching the BTCC on the telly. You can never have too much motoracing can you!
Race 2. Amazingly it actually stopped raining about an hour or so before the race so it was back to a dry set up. Whilst I was one position higher on the grid this time, it meant I was on the inside, nearest the pit wall. So there was no cruising around the outside this time.
As it happened my start was not great and I lost several places straight off. Colin Spicer got ahead of me into Druids and I spent the next couple of laps getting past him. Great racing, but it meant that I lost sight of Austen who was the length of the straight ahead of me by the time I got a ahead of Colin. The rest of the race was a lonely cruise home.
I finished 4th in class which was ok, but I must admit that I was slightly disappointed that my lap times where still in the 53s. I thought I should be a good second quicker than that by now. Maybe it was just being out on my own that knocked the edge off, although it felt at the time that I was pushing as hard as I could, at least for a few laps.
Here's the video highlights:
Anyway, I should't be too hard on myself. I was pleased with my performance in the wet, and race 2 was fun, if ultimately not exceptional. Note to self, must be braver into Paddock, must be braver into Paddock, must be.......
Just as a footnote, and I really don't want to sound like a grumpy old man (although I'm about to anyway!...). Race 2 ended with a slightly sour taste. The club decided that I did not deserve any points for that race because my reverse gear didn't work properly after the race. The regs say you should have an operable reverse gear. Well I can't deny that it didn't work when tested. My argument that it must have broken during the race was met with disdain and the comment that it was therefore not up to the job. I could appeal their decision if I paid £300 there and then. No opportunity to check the car to see what had broken.
So that was that. All points for that race deducted, and a warning that if I did it again I could have negative points or even be excluded from the championship.
I know the rules have to be enforced, but I thought it a bit harsh. Does everyone else realise that if your car suffers damage during the race, which means your car doesn't then comply with the regs, you can lose your points? What about damaged bodywork meaning your ride height is too low for example.
Ok rant over. To misquote a famous Hollywood interpration of William Wallace, they can take away my points, but they can't take away the fun!
A rare shot of me at speed.
(thanks to Afgan Dan for the pic)
I had been thinking about posting something over the winter. Something along the lines of how I was filled with optimism about the coming season; that I should have some really close racing and if everything goes well I might even pick up a bit of silverware this year with some top 3 finishes, at least in class if not overall.
Well I'm glad I didn't 'cause I'd look a bit silly now.
The season opener was a bit of an eye opener to say the least. I'm feeling a little, how shall I put it...deflated!
There's more competition than ever this year. Obviously the class R cars are quicker anyway and all the talented drivers have gone off and built new ones over the winter. So even the quickest F cars are well down the grid. I qualified 18th (29 entrants).
This is all good for the series of course, but it does rather lower my expectations.
Mind you, on the positive side, my qualifying lap time was my quickest ever. 1.04.7. I was getting just under 1.07 last year in slightly damp conditions, which was about where I had been with the Westy in the dry.
I'm told that everyone was roughly 2s per lap quicker due to the resurfacing at the complex so that kind of makes sense. However, my current benchmark is Austen who has exactly the same R1 engine, and he was about 1.5s quicker. Doh!
Anyway, Saturday's race was just a little dissapointing for me. I was hoping to keep in the Austen / Colin (S) and Andy Grant pack but I was losing several car lengths down the back straight and just couldn't keep up.
I managed a 4th in class in the end by default as the new class F car of Steve Bell went out in a cloud of smoke (and he was subsequently commended for his bravery under fire), but my times were still stuck in the 1.04.7s compared to 1.03s for the pack I should be with.
I can't blame the car. It felt great, so it's not that. Watching Tim's video I think I may have worked out where I'm losing time. I need to be wider into Becketts and maybe a tad slower in but faster out which is where I'm convinced most of the time is.
I was out in the free practice on Sunday morning when I hoped to practice the Becketts thing but suffered a clutch failure after only 10 minutes leaving me spectating with the marshals for 20 minutes. The TGM team were quickly on it and thought they had it sorted for the race. I was all set to perform in front of my family and friends who were putting in a rare appearance, but the clutch failed by the first corner and I didn't even manage 1 lap.
Boy was I ****ed off!!
When I said I wanted to finish the race first, that's not quite what I meant!
Now, those that know me know that I'm a positive person. I'm quick to be philosophical about the ups and downs on racing, but my resolve was tested this weekend. But let's be honest. I'm lucky to be able to do this fantastic sport at all, and there are moments when I would not want to be anywhere else, so onwards and forwards!
Anyway, Tim reckons he knows what the problem was and has fixed it (if you want a full technical explanation of the problem, you're reading the wrong blog!). So I will be at Brands, with my optimistic head on. Don't take it easy just yet, Austen!
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.
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!
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!!).
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.
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.
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?)
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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 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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
Race 2's start was much better and I quickly got up with Austen and was even running 3rd ahead of Steve Bell for a while although that didn't last long. I was very keen to keep pace with Austen but at the same time I knew I had Steve Robinson and more crucially for class position, Andy Grant behind me. Austen did manage to pull away a bit mid race but I did some great laps later in the race and, coupled with Austen getting held up ahead of him, I was well within sight of him in the closing laps. On the very last lap Steve Robinson pulled a banzai move going into the Mountain, which was very brave of him. Still, as I crossed the finish, I was only 2 seconds behind Austen for a 4th in class. Oh and infront of Andy Grant!
