Silverstone 24th & 25th August 2013

Well, I needed a good one this time, after a rather demotivating season so far, and boy, did I get it!

We were on the Silverstone International Circuit this time which we have never done before. Well, we've done about 7/8ths of it before but not necessarily in this order..
I managed to watch Andy Seaton's video from Friday testing to see which way to go on the bit I hadn't done before, and that was it before qualifying.

Predictably I was a couple of seconds off the pace (well, Austen's pace anyway) in qualy but was nevertheless 4th in class so I didn't think that was too shabby given that all the cars in front of me had been testing.

Thanks to Dan for the pic

Having qualified I then watched my video of qualy with Tim Gray. If you've ever had to see teacher after class for extra lessons for those who are a bit hard of thinking, that was me. Comments like, what the hell are you doing over there at that corner. You could get a taxi to the apex from there, you muppet! (actually he didn't say that at all, but I know he was thinking it!). Anyway, I was the willing recipient of some very valuable advice on my lines and race craft which was genuinely helpful.

So race 1 was fun to say the least. I won't bore you with a blow by blow account, but the video is worth a watch. Highlights include the first lap when Colin and Austen come together in front of me and spin either side of me like the parting of the waves, leaving me free to go straight through the middle and into a class lead. You can then watch me cock it all up and end up back in 4th as Dave Watson, Stephen Malyon and Austen all reel me back in. I have a great battle with Steve Malyon, swapping places with him a couple of times. I somehow manage to throw away a dead cert 2nd place with a couple of laps to go and end up 3rd, Dave having blown his engine and Austen having caught us all up with a spectacular drive to win the class.

Race 2 on Sunday was equally exciting with another epic battle with Stephen Malyon. No video from me but Bob's video captured the whole thing very well (and a superb drive from Bob, btw).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Zp-w7nHp1LE

I managed to battle with Steve for several laps before eventually getting past him through the fast Stowe corner at the end of the straight. Bob also got past him, giving me some breathing space. I seem to have a habit of slowing down once I'm in front for some reason and Bob probably did me a favour by getting between us, and then looming large in my mirrors, keeping me alert.
This time Austen was beaten by a superbly smooth drive by Paul Rickers who took 1st, leaving me with my second 3rd place of the weekend.

So a great weekend. We had lots going on in between our action too. Andy Seaton had his first race in his monster twin turbo RX7, in the wet (respect!) and Matt Higginson in the same race in a Rage buggy (we think the first time ever for one of those on a tarmac circuit), and of course the master himself, Mr Gray, in Bikesports which is always a site to behold!

So, very chuffed to get a couple of trophies, and even more honoured to get the Driver of the Day award for Sunday's race which must have been entertaining (and will be on Motors TV soon).

 

I was also more than a bit chuffed to see my lap times come down from the mid 1:17s to the mid 1:15s in the space of 2 races. Thanks of course to Mr Gray's tuition and to some very close racing. I can't tell you how great that feels after being embarrasingly slow at Donington.

So really looking forward to Donington for a second time this year in September. See you all there.

My 2013 Season so far...

Well I've been innundated with comments from literally 4 people on the lack of a blog from me so far this year so I thought it was unfair of me to keep my legions of readers waiting any more.
In my defence I do have a good reason for my bloglessness. Embarrassment. Despite my show of promise last season with a class win, I seem to have spent this season going backwards.


It was Brands first. My problems started just three laps into first practice when I collected a barrier having ran out of talent through Surtees (trying to keep up with Austen). The TGM guys did a stirling job getting me back on the track for the races with the help of some new rose joints, a big hammer and lots of fibre glass (but mainly the hammer).

Looking worse for wear, only 3 laps into the season!

One front left tyre with added scenery!

 Unfortunately the steering rack had been bent, and whilst it was driveable, it felt like driving a lorry with flat tyres (not that i've ever done that!). So the race was disappointing to say the least.
The second race on the Sunday was even worse. It was very wet, and if the steering was bad in the dry, in the wet it was hopeless. I span at least twice. I had no feel at all. It was a bit like playing the driving games on the xbox with no feedback, but more dangerous!

Fixed! - no one will notice!

It was especially disappointing to be out of the running for that weekend because it was the only time that class F has had it's own race, without class R. So well done to Austen who had two wins and now has lots of adoring fans and fame and fortune. ;-)




















Anyway, moving on. Snetterton was next. We were using the new 300 circuit so about a third of the circuit is entirely new. Same for everyone of course. In fact even those that had been testing on the Friday were none the wiser as it was so wet that very few people had done anything like a fast lap. In fact poor old Colin Chapman had crashed out which ruined his weekend.
The car was properly fixed now, save for some missing stripes.

Looking slightly better - nice day in Norfolk.

Sadly my performance wasn't much improved. A fairly lacklustre performance had me running 6th in class. A spin in the first race, followed by a failed clutch meant a DNF for that one, and then race 2 wasn't bad until another spin in the new section but be at the back.
So again, I was nothing like up to speed.

I missed Pembrey so Donington was next for me. I was running quite well here last time where I got my first class F trophy so I was hopeful of getting back on form. We were running the full circuit which differs slightly to last time out, but again, it's the same for everyone.

As a slight diversion, the weekend started for me with a great evening out at a Blondie concert, thanks to the Chapmans. My first teenage crush! (Blondie, not the Chapmans). Fortunately we were far enough away from the stage for me not to be able to see too closely that she is well into her 60s.  

 

 

Got my stripes back

So the theme of the weekend for me was; pretty good start, got worse in the middle and ended badly. Not disaster badly. I did finish in one piece which is always good. No, just dissapointingly well down the field after some terrible driving.
I've looked at my videos to try to see what I was doing wrong and I think i've worked it out. I'm driving too slowly.

I worked out for myself some time ago that, when I get to the point when I think I'm driving as fast as I can, I'm definitely not. I've got to drive faster than that! So I've promised myself that I'm going to Silverstone with a new, drive faster head on and see if we can fix this.

Watch this space.

My 2012 Season Review

I'm not going to just rewrite all of this year's blogs cause that's boring and anyway, you can read them below.
I thought I'd sum up with my top ten lists of the year:

I'll start with the 10 worst moments (so that I can end on a positive!):


10 : Being disqualified at Brands for the reverse gear thing (I'm over it now, honestly!)

9 : General lacklustre performance at Brands in the dry.

8 : General lacklustre performace at Donington first meeting (eventually solved with a dash of oversteer)

7 : My very close shave when Colin S cut across me at Brands midway through Paddock Hill bend (it's all on video).

6 : First corner crash at Anglesey. A head ducking moment!

5 : Anglesey tie wrap failure in race 2. (just really annoying!)

4: Clutch failure at Silvertone in race 2 on a rare occassion when my friends came to watch (even more annoying).

3 : Spinning out at Brands in race 1 in the wet having been keeping pace with Al Boulton (the dissapointment that my talent ran out really hurts!).

2 : The emotional strain of having to nick Al Boulton's class win at Mallory (although in fairness, it didn't take me long to get over it!)

And the biggest, most embarrassing, top muppetry moment of the year...

1 : Messing up the chicane at Donington on the penultimate lap. Dave Watson got past because I thought it was the last lap (as Tim Gray had lapped me, and that is usually on the last lap), and I rather overdid the defensive driving on what I thought was the last corner. I know...I'm cringing with embarrasement as I write!).


Top 10 best moments of my season:

10 : Watching Tim Gray cut through the field from the back of the grid to win at Anglesey (even though I was watching from the infield having crashed out!).

9: Catching the pack following my spin at Brands in the wet.

8: Keeping up with Al Boulton for 2 laps at Brands in the wet following a storming start.

7: The whole of the Cadwell weekend, but especially beating Andy Grant fair and square.

6 : Catching and passing Steve Malyon at Donington following an off at the chicane at Donington (1st meeting).

5 : Passing Dave Watson into Redgate in Race 1 at Donington (2nd meeting) (even though I then messed it all up later - see no1 above!).

4 : Watching Dave Watson make for the hills at the Old Hairpin at Donington race 2. (particularly satisfying bearing in mind no 1 above!)

And my top 3 - rather predictably:

3 : Winning my first Class F trophy (3rd in class) at Donington.

2 : Winning 2nd in class at Mallory

1 : My first class WIN at Mallory.


By the way, I came 4th in class in the championship which was great bearing in mind the problems I've had during the year. However I can't help but think that I was only 1 point short of being 3rd. What if I hadn't messed up that Donington race? What if I hadn't been disqualified at Brands, or had that clutch problem at Silverstone...?
There's an old saying...if my aunt had bollocks she'd be my uncle.

It's interesting (to me anyway!) that, whilst I'm really chuffed to get the trophies, some of my most memorable races have been where I've been catching up after an off, or chasing and catching someone, whereas my class win race was actually relatively dull. It just shows, it not all about the silverware. (who am I kidding...of course it is really!!)

So that's it for another year. Thanks again to Tim Gray and the team for their help and guidance, and to all my fellow RGB'ers who make it all such fun. See you next year.

Mallory Season closer, October 2012

So the season closer. Two races in one day. I'm 5th in class in the championship with only an outside chance of getting 4th but it would be amazing to gain a place if I could.
Nothing done to the car since Doni, no time for testing, I just turned up and was ready to go.

Well, qualifying was very busy and I wasn't convinced that I had managed a decent clear lap. As it happened, I did get 2 good laps 'cause I qualified 2nd in class in both races with a best lap of 49.74
My gob was well and truly smacked. This is my first time at Mallory in this car and I'm 2 seconds quicker than I was in the Westy. Wow!

Now sadly, in my moment of glory, and a bit of a rushed start for race 1, I forgot to switch the video on, so no action there I'm afraid, although Bob's video shows me for most of the race. It was actually a rather dull race. Having got ahead of Colin C on the first lap into Gerrards, he got me on the next lap and pulled away. After that it was a rather lonely drive. Bob kept me honest when he appeared large in my mirrors towards the end which woke me up a bit and I managed to stay ahead (although he's class R so no class battle there).
I missed all the action with DW, Austen and Steve Bell who between them managed to pull off the most dramatic accident ever with Dave ending up Austen's head. So that probably explains why they didn't catch me.
So the result on the track was 2nd in class. That alone would have been my best result ever, but bigger news was to come. Al Boulton, who won the class on the track, was pulled at post race scrutineering for failing the ride height test. He was disqualified. That made me 1st in class.

Well, what a conflict of emotion that was. I felt really sorry for Al, and it wouldn't be the way I would want to get my first class win, especially since it meant Al had no chance of winning the overall championship. But I got over that in about 2 seconds. I'll take it thanks!! (Al will still win the class F championship after all!).

(BTW, I was 8th on the track which is also my best result ever).

So, with Al having sorted his ride height, DW out, Colin S out, but Austen back in the runnning, it was onto race 2.

The video worked this time:

Again, not a particularly exciting race in the end, although a red flag and restart kept me working hard to maintain my start position. I had a moment towards the end when Tim lapped me and I got a bit off line (where it was damp) and the new chap in David Whale's old car got past me. Knowing that Austen was close behind, and he would inevitably catch me if I got stuck behind this car, I took a brave dive round the inside through Gerrards and got past him. That pretty much secured my second place. (9th overall this time).

So a first and a second in class in the same day. Two of my best results ever.

Oh, and this result put me 4th in class in the championship. Just 1 point short of Austen. Oh so close to a championship trophy. But hey, there's always next year.

I'll do a season review shortly, but suffice to say for now that, despite some low moment, overall this has been an amazing season for me. I think my driving has definitely moved up a notch and I've achieved some notable benchmarks like my first class trophies and my first class win, not to mention some lap times which should have Austen worried!

I can put a lot of this down to the brilliant guidance of Tim Gray who I thank very much, as well as congratulating him on a perfect full house season of 14 out of 14 wins and the overall RGB championship.

Off to the Birkett this weekend. Not a championship thing, just a bit of fun. Watch out for the report next week.
Cheers all.

Donington 1/2nd Sept 12

I've been a bit slow getting round to updating the blog again I'm afraid which is odd in a way because I achieved a significant achievement for me: my first class F trophy. 3rd in Class.

Sorry for giving away the result straight away. I never was very good at building tension!

So last time out at Doni my results and times were, at best, mediocre. I managed a 1.18.62 at best but most of the time I was in the 1.19s which neither Tim nor I thought was representative of where I should be. So Tim looked at my videos and we decided that I had too much understeer. So Tim worked his magic (well, a couple of clicks stiffer on the rear dampers) and off I went.
Well, the car felt much better, although I still only managed a marginal shave off the time with a 1.18.56 in qualy putting me 6th in class. (Austen was doing 1.16.86, Dave Watson a 1.17.63 so well off the pace).
Nevertheless, the two races were really close battles and fantastic fun.

(If your watching the video the time is in brackets.)
Race 1:

My usual dire start dropped me behind Colin Spicer straight away, but a first lap spin by Colin and Steve Bell's demise gained me a couple of places before the 2nd lap. I even had Austen is sight for a while until he got past Dave Watson.
At (7.15) I catch DW and Chris Scopes in the MNR. At 8.10 Chris Scopes decides to abandon track going into Redgate (I understood later that his brakes had completely failed and he thought that was a good way of not ploughing straight into the barriers at Redgate). Somehow, despite a clumsy attempt to avoid being t-boned, I end up in front of DW, although he then get me back again straight away.
I chase for a lap or two and then pull a heroic move into Redgate (11.00) and make it stick this time.
Also see my moment at 12:40 into the Old Hairpin. Tim Gray was looming behind to lap me and I think I was starting to show off!
Anyway, I then do something that must qualify me for muppet of the year. Tim lapping me made me think that I was on the last lap (I wasn't.) I knew DW wasn't far behind and I thought he would probably try a mad move into the chicane in a last carner attempt to get past. Unfortunately I outbraked myself and cocked up the corner completely, resulting in DW sailing past like I was going backwards. Doh!!
So that was it. I was 4th in class. So near and yet so far from a trophy. Gutted, but also uplifted from having a very exciting race. Also managed a 1.17.52. Over a second quicker than I've ever done here before (and only 3 tenths off Austen's best lap which is an important benchmark for me).

Race 2:

So yet another poor start with Colin S rocketing past again. At the first chicane (1.32) DW gets caught up in someone else's spin and I get past him. I then have a bit of a tussle with Colin S, getting past at Redgate only for him to get me straight back, and then finally nailing him into the Old Hairpin.
DW then catches me (4.20) and gets past me at Redgate (5.40). I had Tim's words ringing in my ears 'hastle him'!!. So I did. After Scott Mittel and Matt H came through following their earlier incident, I get up with DW again (7:50) and make sure he knows I'm there. At (8.40) Dave takes to the grass on the outside of the Old Hairpin in a generous move presumably intended to let me past as easily as possible ;-). After that it's a race to the line. I catch Austen a bit, but I gather he was pacing himself so I was never going to get past him. Still, I was 3rd. Yesssss!! My first class F trophy!!

Just for the record, best time was a 1.17.77. Slightly slower than the last race but still no disgrace.

So very pleased with that. Thanks to the TGM team.
On to Mallory in October.

Anglesey August 2012

So Anglesey then.
Never been there before. In fact it's been a while since I went to a circuit for the very first time so it promised to be interesting.
Sadly I didn't have time to do the test day on the Friday. We had tickets for the Olympic rowing for Friday morning (which was fantastic) and then I headed off mid afternoon for the long drag up to North Wales.

I made pretty good time (5hrs) so was there unusually early for me. Time for some of JC's burgers!

So my first time out on this track ever was the RGB qualifying session.

It's a very interesting circuit and you're presented with a stunning view of the coast as you come round the back of the circuit :

Not that I was sight seeing at the time...I was a bit busy.

The car felt pretty lively. I was getting loads of oversteer coming onto the start straight and the first corner but it felt good. It took me a few laps to start to test the braking point into Rocket which is a 110 degree left hander after a blind crest so pretty scary the first time out.

Anyway, I didn't disgrace myself too much. Ended up with a best time of 1.15.8 which put me 6th in class. Only 0.5s off Paul Rickers which I thought was pretty good for the first time out.

We decided to do nothing to the car set up wise. I was concerned that dialling out some of the oversteer would just mean I understeered through some of the faster corners and make it worse, so I opted to just try to drive it faster!

Well the race was, how can I put this...disastrous.
I got caught up in a first corner incident which, on post race analysis, went something like this. Dave Watson clips the back of Austen, Austen spins into Tim H (and hits him twice somehow!), David Whale dives to the right to avoid them, swipes my front end, bonnet comes right off, taking the throttle bodies with it. Ok and Paul Rickers was momentarily off as well. So I spent the race camped out at marshal post 4, along with Dave Watson.
As it happened, if I wasn't going to be in the race, I did at least have a cracking view of the race from there and was enthusiastically cheering for TG who managed to win the race from the back of the grid.

Here's my video.

So the damage was mainly fibreglass - easily fixable, although all the mounting points were broken so the solution was tie wraps.

Sadly, for me, Race 2 on the Sunday was curtailed early by the tie wraps failing and the bonnet coming off. Trying to take Rocket with no forward vision at all is a tad tricky so I came in before I did any more damage.

Bit of a bugger that. 10 hours travelling for about 3 minutes racing.(not to mention the cost). Hey ho. That's racing I suppose.

So, on the positive side, i've learnt that if you see a big accident happening at the first corner, it's probably best to get out of there. And tie wraps aren't as strong as you might think!

Also, the Saturday night barbecue was great fun, and it can't go unmentioned that TG's performance in RGB, winning both races from the back of the grid, and getting a win and a second place in the bikesports in a mildly adapted RGB car, was amazing. It was almost worth being a spectator just for that.

I can also console myself with the knowledge that I didn't have the worst weekend of my esteemed racing colleagues. Austen's weekend was pretty bad, and whilst Bob had a good weekend on the track, I think a 14 hour journey with the AA on his way home must count as the worst weekend's journey ever.

Donington next. No excuses this time. I know the secret. Drive faster, don't crash. Simples.

Donington 23/24th June 2012

Bit late with the update this month. Lots going on including my family holiday and my 'other hobbies' getting in the way (you know what I mean, Austen!)

It was a manic weekend for me as I'd entered the Bikesports races as well so I had 2 quali sessions, and 3 races on Saturday, and the 1 RGB race on the Sunday. My thinking was that, since I hadn't had any chance to test, and it was 2007 (I think) when I last raced here and even that was only a few laps before the old Westfield packed in, I'd use the Bikesports as extra track time.
I'm glad I did, as it happens, although I couldn't have done it without the TGM team looking after me (and reminding me that I was out again almost as soon as I came in between the RGB and Bikesport races).

Despite the practice, I only managed 1.19.2s in qualy putting me 7th and 6th in class on the grids.
Sadly my video didn't work for either of the RGB races so I can't show you my perspective, although Steve M's video captures Race 1 quite well :




After a reasonable start, having got past Colin Chapman and Dave Watson by Redgate (although later found out that Dave's harness had come undone which would certainly slow me down a bit!), I blew it all away in the chicane at the end of lap 1 when I outbraked myself and got all out of shape and then had Steve Robinson sideways across the track in front of me and had to go round him onto the gravel. I managed to avoid being bogged down completely in the gravel but I was well down the field when I got back on. I spent the rest of the race catching up with Steve and finally managed to get past him with a lap to go putting me in 6th in class.

Best time in race 1 was a 1.19.29 which was worse than qualy which was strange, esapecially since I was chasing for much of the race and really felt I was on it. Maybe the track was a bit slower, but Any Grant was doing 18.0s so I'm definitely well over a second off where I should be.

Race 2 was pretty uneventful. A poor start, but ended up 5th as Austen broke something and didn't finish. Times were even slower though at 1.19.85 so no idea what's going on there (although still about a second off Andy Grant).

Oh by the way, I had a great battle in the Bikesport races with one of their class C cars. Same engine as me but wings and slicks. Beat him in both races which rather amusingly put me second in class twice. I'm 3rd in class in their championship (LOL). Here's some video (the only time it worked!).



So all in all, a fun weekend. Bit dissapointed, if I'm honest, that my times weren't a bit closer to the pace given the track time I had. A bit of post race analysis with TG required before we go to Doni again. Ah well. Never going to get the prize for most talented newcomer am I!!

Anglesey next on 4th/5th August.

Cadwell Park, May 2012.

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!).

See you at Donington.

Brands Hatch, April 2012.

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!

Cadwell next...

Season opener - Silverstone, March 31st 2012



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!











My 2011 Season

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

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?

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back to Snetterton - July 11

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

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

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

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




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

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

A really good fun battle and great racing all round.

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

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

Snetterton May 11 - Oh dear! Pistn' broke

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

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.

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!

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: