Race Calendar & Results

The first real event in the new V8, on a hot and sunny weekend in Norfolk.

Qualifying

Apart from a spin onto the grass coming out of Russell, all relatively straight forward, albeit only 4th. 

Race 1

A 20 minute race.  I gained one place so up to 3rd on the opening lap, but on lap 2 I braked hard at the end of the Revett straight and did a quick 360 degree spin and then headed down the escape road.  This dropped me to 6th place where I stayed for 3 laps before catching up and moving into 5th when, much to my annoyance, it happened again (brake balance must be out!).  This time it was a bit more scary as I found myself heading backwards at about 100mph onto the grass and heading for a wall.  Fortunately I missed the base of the bridge.  I managed to steer away from the wall (now parallel to it about 3 feet from my window) before, locked up again, I crossed the track at right angles as everyone trying to turn left into the Esses kindly avoided me.  Another spin on the grass inside the Esses and I rejoined the track, but now down to 8th.  Next lap 7th, next 6th, next 5th, 2 more and 4th where I stayed for the last few laps.

After the race one spectator came over to us in the paddock to describe the second spin - it sounded very scary!  The best thing was my best lap - only 0.09 seconds behind Boisie in the Camaro.

Race 2

This was a 45 minute, 2 driver race but was going solo, so would have to run around the car twice at the compulsory pit stop.

At the start Arthur Thurtle got ahead of the Talbot Lotus and I got into 3rd where I stayed until lap 5 when I got past it after several attempts and took up 2nd place, but by now Arthur had a useful lead.  On lap 8 the rear end had another go at me and we went lawn mowing whilst accelerating out of Russell.  This dropped me back to 3rd but within 2 laps I was back to 2nd.  On lap 12 Arthur pitted and so I led but on lap 13 the Lotus took the lead but I was back in front for laps 14 to 19.  I pitted on lap 20 - running around the car as opposed to just in and out cost me nearly 12 seconds against Arthur and Boisie and effectively doubled their lead.  We traded similar tunes for the next 10 laps or so but then the head in my car became horrific with little air getting into the cockpit.  By lap 30 I was beginning to suffer a lot and very pleased to see the flag on lap 35. 

Unfortunately I was hotter than I thought and ended up in the medical centre with a temperature of some 104 degrees, which took a lot of ice to get down to normal.  The doctor and paramedic were fantastic.  Now I think I will name the car 'The Oven'. 

Qualifying: 4th in 1.16.066 (92.38mph)

Race 1: 4th in 20.59.039 (89.30mph) - Best Lap: 1.15.584

Race 2: 2nd in 46.26.283 (88.27mph) - Best Lap: 1.15.946