I really couldn’t have asked for a better end to what has been a fantastic year racing with the Lotus-on-Track Racing Drivers Club. Although up to the moment the flag dropped in the 2nd handicap race it seemed like I had been fighting no-else other than myself all weekend.
Lack of testing showed up badly in the qualifying session (9th) and no matter how good a start I could make the mountain was still pretty steep to climb. Jamie had taken pole with a 54 something in Golding’s car and my best all year has been in the 55’s…
Saturday Night’s antics at the bar did me no favours and although the brain was all but fully functional by the time I got to the circuit the body was still feeling a little frail…However, seeing it kissing it down with rain as I walked out the hotel did perk me up somewhat and put a slight bounce back in my step at the thought of a wet race
As the morning went on mind the rain stopped and slowly but surely the track started to dry up. We had dialed a wet setting in as soon as we got there and as the race loomed so did a great big whopping black cloud again. Paul came along the pitlane telling everyone it was a DRY race where as Russ and Lem were stood next to me in the car telling me it had already started to spit and the big black cloud was loooking even bigger and blacker… The decision was made to keep it as it was and hope for a down poor during the race.
I certainly got the start I was after going from 9th to 4th as we exited the first corner but the sparkler didnt last very long and it all seemed to fizzle after the first couple of laps. The rain never appeared in any quantity and the tyre’s didnt take long to start to over cook. As the race went on every man and his dog started to come back past me and I’m beginning to convince myself there is something detrimentally wrong with the car as I finsh pretty much back where I started…
However, it turns out there is absolutely nothing wrong with the car at all and the fact of the matter was down to me driving like a complete an utter cocktard. I simply wasnt driving it hard enough,. S/C power in the 2-11 has made me a fat lazy driver all within the space of 1 month and 3 trackdays!
I would very much like to congratulate Mick Edwards on his Class win, something I know he has been chasing after all year and he certainly did it in style by all accounts (Yes I know he won the DTM round but that was not exactly a race what with the big start incident that consumed most of it and deep down I’m sure Mick felt the same way).
Also congratulations go to Paul Quinn on his second ‘2nd’ in Class A. He is looking like a strong runner for next years racing.
Jamie you need no congratulation. Just be rest assured that Paul was telling me you had a job next year… It has been great racing with you this last couple of rounds btw :thumbs: :
So onto the handicap.
Ok Gav, this is the last race of the season and your starting to slack off. Pull you bloody socks up lad and get out there and do your stuff… On the start Martin Roberts got a bit too excited and decided to drive off when the flag for our group got raised rather than waiting til it got dropped… Oooopsy.
As I remember it, I got a decent start keeping with the main group of cars but it all went abit of a blur from then on in tbh. I dont know how many cars I overtook in my bid for victory but it felt like alot and I certainly wasn’t taking any prisoners slashing my way through the jungle of cars. I dont think there was one corner on the circiut I didnt over take someone at some point. It was great fun and was probaly my best drive of the year. I could see Jamie too-ing and fro-ing in the mirrors but he never seeemed to get close enough at any point to be of a concern and with the time ticking away on the clock I knew he couldnt catch me.
I really didnt think I had any chance of winning and just be (as I always have been) in the middle of the feild…
Mark A pointed to me 1st place and as I pulled up he told me I had taken it off Tess on the last bend by .111 of a sceond… Sorry Tess, that is racing unfortunatley but congrats on your very well deserved second place.
So then, my first ever outright win of a race and it felt really good… CAN I HAVE SOME MORE PLEASE???
I cant explain in words how much of a fantastic season I have had.
The car has done me totally proud by completing 19 of 20 races without harm or hinderance and still has its original paint and clams fully intact (how I dont know but it has). Other than brakes, tyres and service items it has only required 16 new wheel nuts and a new electrical cut-out box…
It has also picked up
6 x 1st places
1x 2nd place
1x3rd place
p.s it’s still for sale btw
I have a few thank’s I need to make -
To the organisers for putting together what has been without doubt the envy of the club racing scene in 2007. I wish the very best of success for 2008 in what is already shaped up to be the best club calendar to be in.
My fellow competitors in Class A for what has turned out to be some excellent close racing throughout the whole year, but more than that how clean it has all been kept at the same time. It really has been a pleasure to race against you guys. A big well done to everyone on that front, the driving standards have been exemplary especially considering the amount of novices we have had in A.
For all the support everyone has shown from my family and friends and the general well-wishers. It really does make the difference, thankyou!!
Pole Position Indoor Karting (ppik.net) and Formula One Cars of Newcastle (f1carsales.com) for the sponsorship they gave this year and for their continued support in 2008.
Plans Motorport for setting the car up for me… Say no more.
Lem, who has been like a faithful old dog all year fetching my slippers and paper at my every beck and call. Thanks mate your a diamond!!
My loving girlfriend Xanthe who has been so understanding to all my racing needs this year and allowed me so much free time to follow my interests (can you guess she’s sat over my shoulder while I write this passage?).
And last but not least a mention to my gran who passed away last year just as she turned 95. A number I dedicated to the side of the race car and one which has taken care of the part of racing neither money or talent can bring you - A little bit of lady LUCK.
All the best to everyone over the winter break and I look forward to coming back in 08 with a new car and a new challenge.
Gav Kirby