This was the first time out for the car (and us) for 2 years, so
we were using the event as a shakedown, but also with the intention to do as well as possible.
As it turned out I managed to win the event, although the outcome may have been different if
the 124bhp Mini had competed in the dry in the afternoon. Still, the prize is for constructors
as well as drivers, and it was a testiment to the superb job Mark made of the car to enable the
victory. The new paint-job didn't get a scratch. We had the smallest engined car of the meeting
(as usual), but managed to beat a few other cars and came close to some big TVR times. All in
all we have made a big leap forward in competitiveness compared to 2 years ago and hope to
improve even more with experience.
1 practice of 2.9 laps & 3 timed runs of 1.9 laps (from a standing start)
Notes:
A mixed day was had - the car (and us) started well with overcast
skies and a dry track. This time out there were more cars in the same class as us and looking at the
competition we knew we were in for a tough day. 1380 minis are hard to beat, especially when they produce
much more hp and are driven by 'old-hands'!!
Our practise runs were fine - getting aclimatised to the track again. The first timed runs were better. I
felt smoother (even though there wasn't a great time difference to practise) and Mark improved. Mark improved
again on his 2nd run and I felt good until the gear linkage snapped! After the last race Mark had sorted out
a sloppy change with a new leaver and linkage and it was felling good and tight, but obviously there was
a weak link (literally) and near the end of my run it broke. I got dragged back to the pits and that was the
end. I'm sure I was going to post a very fast time!!
A good day for Abarths as there were 2 500's and a 600 in the standard production class as well as Lez
Parker coming down from SE London in his A112 Abarth to meet us and watch the racing - thanks Lez, sorry
you only saw 1.5 runs before the breakage. This made the first unofficial meeting UK Abarths - more to come...
1 practice of 2.9 laps & 2 timed runs of 1.9 laps (from a standing start)
Notes:
This Sprint was just in the morning as there was a race meeting in the
afternoon, so there was 1 less timed run than normal and fewer competetors making for a quicker turn-around. As it
happened we had a very eventful morning...
The day started with skys clearing and the sun making an on and off appearence. After all the rain the day before,
the track was pretty greasy (as was pointed out in the drivers briefing) which made for quite a few exits off the
circuit. My practice run was extended by a few seconds when the back flipped out around the back corner - nothing
too bad, and a quick reverse round got me going again. Mark put in a solid test run - no problems.
We then came to the 1st timed run, by which time the track had all but dried out - leaving only the start of the
back corner wet - down in the dip away from the sun. I started well with a good first lap and was feeling like the
time was going to be reasonable - the second time around the aforementioned back corner, I braked late... too late!
The wheels locked and the next thing I knew I was on the grass without any steering and heading into the tyres. I
braced myself for the impact, but had luckily lost a lot of speed when the time came, so didn't feel a thing. The
organisers promtly sent a recovery truck and ambulance to sort things out. I made it half way back to the pits on
my own steam before the engine gave out - the fault soon being diagnosed as nothing more than the fuel pump switch
had been flicked off in the confusion.
A quick piece of bodyworking by Mark with a hammer, the borrow of some tools from our neighbour (Thanks Martyn! -
people are so friendly at these events) and a check around found us being scruteneered again and Mark just made it
out for the 1st of his timed runs before the 1st session closed.
Soon after we were ready and waiting for the second runs which went well - I took it fairly cautiously around the
still wet corner this time and we both put in reasonable times.
That's it for this season of Sprints - we intend doing some more development with the car over the winter ready for
next season - maybe bigger wheels with arches and some tyres with lots of traction!
