Race Calendar & Results

Snetterton 19th - 20th July

 

Heritage Series in AM V8 1973

GT Cup in AM V8 2008

 

A busy weekend in prospect with 2 Heritage races in the 1973 V8 and 2 in the new 2008 N24 AM V8 in a new series, the GT Cup made up of predominantly GT3 cars, Ferraris and Porches and a few GT4 cars like ours. 

 

GT Cup

So a new series in a new car.  Also in the same 'boat' Will Goff in his new N24.

 

The GT Cup provided 2 free practice sessions prior to qualifying and it soon became apparent that some of the GT3 cars were much quicker but we would have a bit of a chance against the slower GT3 cars and perhaps one or two of the GT4 cars, which were in smaller numbers to begin with.

 

Qualifying

The rest of the field showed their true speed when it came to qualifying and Will and I found ourselves near the rear in 28th and 25th respectively ex 28!

 

Race 1 GT Cup

A rolling start which was very undisciplined with the front of the grid just flooring their throttles as soon as they were on the pit straight, leaving the back of the field still exiting Coram!  Having dealt with that I pressed on to see if I could move up a few places but without enough grunt to pass 911's or Ferraris on the straights it was not easy.  Some of the GT3 guys threw themselves off the track, so at the end we were up to 19th.  

 

Race 2 

A better starting position and a more sensible start and by the time we came onto the back straight on the first lap I had moved up 3 or 4 places, but a pile up as the rear of the grid crossed the start line bought out the red flag.  

 

At the restart all OK and I was battling a 911 for position.  I was on the outside through the bomb hole and all the way around Coram but it paid off as I led through Russell and onto the pit straight.  I had a good tussle with a GT3 Ferrari but also got passed by some of the quick cars who started from the back of the grid having not finished Race 1.

 

A more competitive race, over all too soon but great fun in a modern car!   We hope to do another GT Cup before the season finishes.  A nicely run, friendly set up and a couple of trophies for 2nds in class.  Perhaps another circuit I can get closer to the class leading BMW.

 

Free Practice 1: 1.16.899 @ 91.39 mph

Free Practice 2: 1.17.679 @ 90.46mph

Qualifying: 25th in 1.18.081 @ 89.94 mph

Race 1 Result: 19th in 26.22.284 (2nd in class)

Race 1 Best Lap: 1.16.772

Race 2 Result: 16th in 15.49.951 @ 88.79mph

Race 2 Best Lap: 1.16.952 (2nd in class)

 

Heritage Series

 

Qualifying

As always fast and furious with Boysie putting the Camaro on pole with a very fast 1.14.526.  I was just pipped for 3rd by Peter Snowden. 

 

Race 1

As the Thurtle Camaro had expired at the end of qualifying I was denied the chance to race Roger Bennington.   The grid was amended and I started 3rd behind the Beighton Tiger.  By the end of Lap 1 the Tiger and my V8 were well ahead of the field and that was how it stayed for the rest of the race.  I led for a few couple of laps when the Tiger slowed a little, but Chris Beighton had enough grunt to keep ahead when it counted. 

 

Race 2

Having a busy day with one qualifying and 4 races and as their Camaro had failed in qualifying I got Boysie to join me for the 2nd half of this race. 

 

In similar fashion to the first race the Tiger and my V8 pulled away at the front and stayed that way until the pit stops/driver changes.  Boysie took over and in his typical style soon started pressurising the Tiger, but to no avail as once again gremlins struck the V8 and the exhaust again started coming apart.  A new system is now on order!!  So a definite 2nd and possible 1st went the way of too many races this year!

 

Qualifying

4th in 1.16.739 @ 91.57mph

 

Race 1

Result: 2nd in 25.58.095 (3.703 seconds adrift) at 90.20mph

Best lap: 1.16.484

 

Race 2

Result: DNF

My best lap: 1.16.650

Boysie's best lap: 1.16.421

 

It was interesting that my best laps in two Aston Martin V8's built in 1973/2008 i.e. 35 years apart were:

1973 car: 1.16.484

2008 car: 1.16.772 - on slicks