Race Report
Being a B/H weekend and good weather, we pootled down on Sat afternoon to Combe for a chill out and watch some Lotus action, some very nice cars out I must say. Race wasn’t until Monday, so a bit of sunbathing and cleaning of the race car was all that got done, very relaxing indeed. Monday morning arrives, very little sun and a very strong wind was blowing, typical!!
Nick arrived, quickly followed by Jamie to help for the day.
The car was already to go, so off to scrutineering and noise check. I’d moddified the exhaust last week, adding another silencer, passed no problem, and sailed through scrutineering without a hitch. Having an hour to kill before quali, tyre pressures were checked and gave Jamie a quick run down on how to use the tyre temp probe, then off we go.
Having only driven Combe once before (in a newly built car on an action day over 3 years ago), I never realised how bumpy it was, 2 laps to get the tyres warm, and being very cautious, you don’t want to go off at this place, it’s going to hurt!! Building pace up slowly and trying to find a gap, I managed to get 2 clearish laps in before the flag fell.
Met Nick and Jamie under the Avon bridge, pressures were about spot on, so that was a good guess, and the temps were well within range, jobs a good ‘un.
7th on the grid 1st French Trophy car on a 1.21 with a well sorted Mi16 engined 205 right behind me. Going to be fun.
Mike and Matt turned up to complete the team, so sausage sandwiches and tea was consumed, petrol for the car, a drop of oil and quick check over. Ready for race one.
Lining up behind a group of Nissans, Subaru’s and a couple of Datsun 370z Playstation Academy cars, we’re off.
Bad start this time (wheelspin)
, but the 205 was still behind, so that was good, going into Quarry with all that lot around you is something else, but somehow we all made it through, which is a small miracle.
After the first lap, all the Jap stuff had shot off up the road, leaving a nice gap in front.
So basically all I had to do was to keep an eye in the mirror, and keep Gordon in the 205 at bay.
15mins soon passed, race over, times fly’s when you’re having fun.
So another win in FT and went slightly quicker than quali time. Chuffed.
Race two.
The grid was very much the same as before, looking up massive Jap exhausts, choking on boost fumes.
Lights out, got a better start this time, but got blocked slightly by a 370z, which gave the 205 the opportunity to nip in front, he also had a gap in front as a car didn’t make to the grid, b****cks!
The chase was on. Lap 2 I had a slight coming together with Richard in the Subaru at Quarry, sorry about that, but I had nowhere to go.
Gordon in the 205 had got a little gap after this, so I had to get my head down and pump some good laps in.
This time I let Andy through in the Teg, as he’s not in my race today, and followed him for a lap or so, the 205 was now in front, but still going well.
Gordon was overtaking back markers in places I didn’t fancy following, but had to as not to let him get away, had to take a deep breath a couple of times and follow him
I tried my hardest without actually ramming him out the way, although he did get a few little taps to remind him I was there. It was a great race from where I was sat anyway, and I’m really pleased for Gordon, he did well to hold me off, and got a well earned win.
Got quickest FT lap time with a 1.19, so 2 sec quicker than 1st race!!
A little trip to the Stewards office to explain my version of events with Richards Subaru, results stood.
So all in all another good weekend with Track Attack Club and French Trophy, its great fun.
Thanks as usual to the boys,
Nick
Jamie
Matt
Mike
Helen
Jay.
And all the support on the day from the steady flow of visitors/fans lol.
Next outing for me will be Mallory Sat 3rd August. At last, a track I’ve driven before.
Tony, Burpspeed.com