Race Calendar & Results

The Silverstone Classic - 26th/27th July

 

The biggest historic race meeting in the UK this year with 21 great races over 2 days.  I had entered 2 in the Masters Series, Gentleman Drivers - a 1 hour 2 driver race with Charlie Kemp in the E Type and a 40 minute 1 or 2 driver race (on my own) in the Jaguar MK2.

 

With hundreds of cars and drivers there was a "controlled" welcome and entry procedure but it operated very well - the French could learn a thing or two. 

 

Qualifying for both races was on Friday.  First in the E Type but only 30 minutes for 2 drivers meant just a handful of laps each.  I went first and by the time I had got re-acquainted with the historic GP track it was time to let Charlie have a go.  He had tested here recently and so was quickly up to speed and put in a very good lap to get us up to 5th on the grid.

 

In the MK2 I had a full 30 minutes in the car, which enabled me to get to grips with the circuit and also to see if the car would run without overheating.  In the end I qualified 38th out of 50, which wasn't bad for the MK2.

 

Race 1

 

Gentleman Drivers - Saturday

It was a pretty impressive top ten we were in the middle of.  Very fast cars and very fast drivers so I was a little apprehensive as the start of the race approached.  We set off on the green flag lap, but instead of a rolling start, the safety car and a further green flag lap then all hell broke loose as the lights went to green. 

 

A few of the very quick cars/drivers stormed by, obviously intent on regaining their rightful places!  I settled in to 9th behind a tussling Le Mans Tiger and Corvette having a private battle for 7th.  They were holding themselves up, and me, I got past one then both, then Chris Beighton re-took me - all very hectic, then Chris's Le Mans Tiger lost a wheel at Copse which caused the safety car to come out for a couple of laps.

 

As we approached half distance and the pit stops/drivers changes began we were briefly up to 4th on the track, but 5th in reality, when I pitted for Charlie to take over.   The compulsory 1 minute stop Masters operate is very sensible, no panic, no rush and everyone equal.  Charlie settled into a good rhythm and maintained position, then moved up to 4th but as the clock headed for sixty minutes the Cobra of Sean Lynn was closing on our E Type.  With just 2 laps to go he passed Charlie and so we finished in a very creditable 5th place.  I was personally also happy to have been pretty much as quick as Charlie, having been quite a bit slower in qualifying.

 

Race 2 - Top Hat (Sunday)

A good start and immediately into a battle with Claire Tippet in her BMW.  The MK2 was going well and I was getting more used to driving it with lots of 'angle'.  By the 20 minute stage the rear tyres were getting very slippery.  As I entered the pits for the compulsory 1 minute stop the engine temp was too high.  I rejoined, but the temp was staying too high so back into the pits and retirement.  We must get more hot air away from the engine to give the car a chance. 

 

Race 1 - Gentleman Drivers

Qualifying: 5th in 2.15.131 (84.53mph) ex 51 cars

Result: 5th (4th in class) in 1.00.50.820 (75.09mph)

Just 1.2 seconds behind 4th place

Our fastest lap: 2.17.232 (Charlie Kemp)

My fastest lap: 2.17.8

 

Race 2 - Top Hat

Qualifying: 38th (ex 50 cars) in 2.29.479 (76.4mph)

Result: DNF - Retired after 23 minutes

Best lap: 2.28.2