Well now ive got some energy back, I might be able to post.
Arrived on friday for the test day, after only finding out last sunday that I was going to race at all this year after several problems at home.
Still having driven Simons car a while ago at snetterton, the 1st test session showed up some seriously odd behaviour, with the car immediately breaking away when trying to turn right anywhere.
Trying to get the tyre pressures correct was just impossible, every time we tried to let some pressure out water was pouring out of the valve and the pressure would then rocket back up again.
It turned out that the tyres had been fitted whilst they were wet and there was a lot of water/moisture inside the tyre, every time the tyres were getting hot they were filling up with steam the pressures were all over the place.
Unfortunately there was no tyre changing facilities at the circuit and as it turned out, who ever fits the yokohama tyres for the series didnt even bother turning up on race day so we couldnt get anything done about it.
Simon pointed out that the car was really set up for slicks and that the spring rates were far to stiff for the AO48’s unforuntaely we had no replacements and no time in which to change them if we had. With the tyre problem things were not looking to clever.
The car was in full drift mode round the 1st bend, sideways onto the back straight, bomb hole and coram were very scary too, just could not commit at all through there.
Still we kept going in the hope that the tyre truck would turn up and unfortunately it didnt.
Saw Sean had a problem with his throttle cable, but apparently lotus shut up shop on fridays, or all go to lunch
so he had major problems getting a new one, still at least it showed he was using it!!!
I also had a bit of a scare with the throttle cable, whilst coming around coram mine also went pinning the throttle to the floor somehow, but at the same time the pins that hold the brake pads in fell out, weve no idea how, car was drifting full throttle with no brakes, scared me somewhat i can tell you, managed to turn it off and get round to coast into the pits, shaken not stirred.
That was in the last session of the test day so we packed up and went to have a few beers, very much needed.
Raceday came round still with no sign of the tyre truck and qualifing rapidly approaching.
Managed to qualify 6th with Russ just infront in 5th, then the ultima, the 2 nobles and Rex Stamp with a Honda SC Exige on pole.
I suffered some abuse from Scuffers as I had actually gone half a scond faster the day before but I would have still been behind russ’s time so it made little difference.
Not long after it was qualifing for the Endurance race and out we went again, Simon set pole with one of the V8 Astons breathing down his neck, it was going to be hectic at the start.
It was unfortunately at this time that Russ’s engine let go, but after pesky telling mw what its been through the last 2 or 3 racing seasons im impressed it made it this far, 2 big fires for starters.
Well time of the Mid Engined race came round, my heart was pumping hard and I had been to the toilet numerous times before climbing into the car. The Mrs, my son and my sister were all watching so I was determined not to cock up the start.
Red lights off time to go, short shifted into 2nd pulled up alongside the ultima and got past into 4th on the 1st bend, next bit was a bit of a blur and suddenly I was in 2nd oculdnt figure out how many laps I had done but with just the noble in front of me.
Saw the other noble dropping away behind with the ultima behind him, well not for long, I saw all of a sudden a yellow ultima coming on strongly, jesus that thing was fast in a straight line, eventually caught me and I could not do anything to stop him coming past down the back straight, then my 1st mistake, trying to make ground up through the bomb hole, ran wide and span, still managed to get back on rejoined in 5th i think behind Rex and the Audi Exige.
Saw the Audi spin and That left me chasing Rex for third, The Ultima by this time had caught the noble and passed him.
Error number 2 came along going to fast through the bomb hole again, resulting in spin number 2, no chance of catching rex and just manged to get back on track infront of the shelsy and the noble, now I had to defend to keep hold of fourth.
Chequered flag came out shortly after and 4th was mine, pleased to have finished and not damaged the car after 2 spins, Endurance race up next.
Simon was out 1st and got a flying start and pulled a good lead on the big astons, they really can shift, sound and look awesome too, hats off to racing those beautiful looking cars and not leaving them under a sheet in a garage somewhere.
The ultima was starting to come back through the pack towards the front and was charging hard when he had some space, unforunately they had a gear linkage problem which they had fixed earlier, but they pulled off into the scrutineering area to fix and were not allowed to rejoin.
Cant remeber the exact lead simon had build up before it was my turn to take over, but I was determined not to bloody spin again so took my time through the bomb hole and brought the car home to the finish. That chequered flag couldnt come out sooon enough.
1st place and no spins, I was elated.
Cant belive how long its taken me to have a go at racing, ive wanted to have a go for ages, think I might even sell my road car and build a racer, depending on what happens with simons Brit GT season.
I hope Russ gets his car sorted for the next race at silverstone, and Seans luck changes for the better with all the problems he encountered, im now not sure if I can make it, but will try very hard to be there.
Really enjoyed myself, and Sean you were right the butterflies were there but as soon as the red lights went out they vanished, cant wait for another go.
Im sure Benja will provide some interesting photo evidence of the day.
Need to thank Russ also for lending us 20 ltrs of fuel, we might not have even finished the edurance race otherwise, cheers Russ.
Christian