172 Race Car
Chucked this together from last weekend.
05:15 The alarm goes off, is it that time already? Bleary eyed I get dressed and stumble downstairs. Everything is packed in the car ready to go.
05:23 Dave arrives and we swap cars on the driveway.
05:25 Tim, who lives next door, joins us and we set off.
05:34 We arrive at photographer Dan's house. He grumbles we are 10 minutes early.
05:38 We join the M5 for the 2 and 1/2 hour drive to Kent.
07:34 The rain is quite heavy on the M25 and we are brought to a stop by the Highways Agency while they sort out a car that has hit the barrier.
07:42 Were on our way again and not far from the circuit. The rain is torrential now.
08:05 Hello Brands Hatch. Its still raining but luckily Tony got the gazebo up before the downpour.
08:28 The rain has stopped and its time to prep the car.
Changed a switch for the de-mister.
08:39 Simon, the series champion from last year comes over for a chat.
08:47 Time for bacon.
09:08 Fitted some more stickers to the car.
09:36 Ollie and Nick turn up to see how the day runs.
09:51 Swapped the wheels over and set tyre pressures for qualifying
10:25 Time to sign on for the meeting. Dave and Dan have took the car to be scrutinised.
10:35 Signed on and head over to see how the car is doing.
Had a chat with the scrutineer about a few concerns but all ok.
11:27 Qualifying approaching and we head to the main paddock area to be noise tested. 97db, quiet as a mouse.
11:31 We line up in the assembly area ready to start qualifying,
Tony out first.
12:01 Pit lane open qualifying session under way.
12:07 Tony pits for tyre pressure check, car very nervous.
12:12 My turn in the car. Took it steady to build up the pace.
Slowly getting used to the new brakes and diff.
12:25 Pit for tyre pressure check, damper adjustment and a quick chat.
12:31 Quali ends and back to the pits. Car is fine but not easy to drive.
Managed to wring a 56.7 out of it.
12:38 Back to our paddock area and straight into race prep.
Fuel topped up, glass cleaned, loads of things to check.
13:29 Drivers briefing. Was short and sweet.
13:42 Social time, chatting with other competitors. Lisa & Toby have a new Ford Puma race car and we go to have a look and give some advice
14:36 Re-wire the trailer lights, after Tony drove away from home this morning leaving it behind and yanking the plug out.
16:14 Race starts at 5pm, time to get suited and booted
16:23 Just time for a few practice pitstops.
16:28 Everyone piles into the race car to drive to the assembly area.
I decide to walk to calm the butterflies.
16:38 Eventually arrive at the assembly area.
Its a long way and wish I'd jumped in the car with everyone else
16:47 The grid forms up. Tony is starting 10th.
We choose where to pit and setup our little timing screen.
16:49 Green flag lap. We have to stand by the garages for safety, ready for the start.
16:52 The race starts, we struggle to see the action over the wall and as soon as the field has left the grid everyone runs to the back of the garages to see the first lap.
17:05 After a steady start Tony is on the attack, were going nuts on the pit wall as he passes an Integra.
17:11 The pitstop window has been open for a while, we give Tony the 2 lap to pitstop board.
17:12 He passes another Integra as I get my Helmet on.
17:14 Pitstop, nice and steady
17:19 There is oil down at the hairpin, I spot it and change my lines.
17:20 Lapped by the leaders, I can keep with them and I'm brilliantly placed to see the battle for the lead.
17:33 We finish 10th after a good fight with a 205.
17:40 Dave and Mike drive the car back to the paddock while me and Tony walk back to discuss the race.
18:02 We begin the pack up.
18:23 Time for the awards presentation.
18:27 Leaving the circuit collecting some printed results from the main office on the way out.
18:35 Dave and Dan are frantically looking for somewhere to eat.
As were all starving. They have an app for that!
18:48 Decision made, The Palace of India to stuff our faces.
19:50 We leave the Indian restaurant and head for home. Dave is driving and me and Dan are going through photos and writing the race report.
20:19 Dave and Tim have really bad taste in music and me and Dan have our ears assaulted.
22:26 Finally get in the door, exhausted.
22:36 Shower and change.
Browse the net and leave some comments on forums.
23:09 Watch a bit of the F1 till I can't keep my eyes open anymore
00:18 Crawl into bed and start thinking about improving the car for the next race before as I drift away.
05:15 The alarm goes off, is it that time already? Bleary eyed I get dressed and stumble downstairs. Everything is packed in the car ready to go.
05:23 Dave arrives and we swap cars on the driveway.
05:25 Tim, who lives next door, joins us and we set off.
05:34 We arrive at photographer Dan's house. He grumbles we are 10 minutes early.
05:38 We join the M5 for the 2 and 1/2 hour drive to Kent.
07:34 The rain is quite heavy on the M25 and we are brought to a stop by the Highways Agency while they sort out a car that has hit the barrier.
07:42 Were on our way again and not far from the circuit. The rain is torrential now.
08:05 Hello Brands Hatch. Its still raining but luckily Tony got the gazebo up before the downpour.
08:28 The rain has stopped and its time to prep the car.
Changed a switch for the de-mister.
08:39 Simon, the series champion from last year comes over for a chat.
08:47 Time for bacon.
09:08 Fitted some more stickers to the car.
09:36 Ollie and Nick turn up to see how the day runs.
09:51 Swapped the wheels over and set tyre pressures for qualifying
10:25 Time to sign on for the meeting. Dave and Dan have took the car to be scrutinised.
10:35 Signed on and head over to see how the car is doing.
Had a chat with the scrutineer about a few concerns but all ok.
11:27 Qualifying approaching and we head to the main paddock area to be noise tested. 97db, quiet as a mouse.
11:31 We line up in the assembly area ready to start qualifying,
Tony out first.
12:01 Pit lane open qualifying session under way.
12:07 Tony pits for tyre pressure check, car very nervous.
12:12 My turn in the car. Took it steady to build up the pace.
Slowly getting used to the new brakes and diff.
12:25 Pit for tyre pressure check, damper adjustment and a quick chat.
12:31 Quali ends and back to the pits. Car is fine but not easy to drive.
Managed to wring a 56.7 out of it.
12:38 Back to our paddock area and straight into race prep.
Fuel topped up, glass cleaned, loads of things to check.
13:29 Drivers briefing. Was short and sweet.
13:42 Social time, chatting with other competitors. Lisa & Toby have a new Ford Puma race car and we go to have a look and give some advice
14:36 Re-wire the trailer lights, after Tony drove away from home this morning leaving it behind and yanking the plug out.
16:14 Race starts at 5pm, time to get suited and booted
16:23 Just time for a few practice pitstops.
16:28 Everyone piles into the race car to drive to the assembly area.
I decide to walk to calm the butterflies.
16:38 Eventually arrive at the assembly area.
Its a long way and wish I'd jumped in the car with everyone else
16:47 The grid forms up. Tony is starting 10th.
We choose where to pit and setup our little timing screen.
16:49 Green flag lap. We have to stand by the garages for safety, ready for the start.
16:52 The race starts, we struggle to see the action over the wall and as soon as the field has left the grid everyone runs to the back of the garages to see the first lap.
17:05 After a steady start Tony is on the attack, were going nuts on the pit wall as he passes an Integra.
17:11 The pitstop window has been open for a while, we give Tony the 2 lap to pitstop board.
17:12 He passes another Integra as I get my Helmet on.
17:14 Pitstop, nice and steady
17:19 There is oil down at the hairpin, I spot it and change my lines.
17:20 Lapped by the leaders, I can keep with them and I'm brilliantly placed to see the battle for the lead.
17:33 We finish 10th after a good fight with a 205.
17:40 Dave and Mike drive the car back to the paddock while me and Tony walk back to discuss the race.
18:02 We begin the pack up.
18:23 Time for the awards presentation.
18:27 Leaving the circuit collecting some printed results from the main office on the way out.
18:35 Dave and Dan are frantically looking for somewhere to eat.
As were all starving. They have an app for that!
18:48 Decision made, The Palace of India to stuff our faces.
19:50 We leave the Indian restaurant and head for home. Dave is driving and me and Dan are going through photos and writing the race report.
20:19 Dave and Tim have really bad taste in music and me and Dan have our ears assaulted.
22:26 Finally get in the door, exhausted.
22:36 Shower and change.
Browse the net and leave some comments on forums.
23:09 Watch a bit of the F1 till I can't keep my eyes open anymore
00:18 Crawl into bed and start thinking about improving the car for the next race before as I drift away.
nice write up
