Donington race report.
My very first race. After setting up in the paddock on Friday night, Stuart and I returned to the paddock for 6:30 Saturday morning. First job was to walk the circuit. After that it was time to check the car over prior to qualifying. We have had a few niggles with the car over the last few weeks, starting mainly, but had no idea that it was the crank sensor that was failing! 5 mins before the start of qualifying a replacement sensor was kindly lent by a member of the Burpspeed team and fitted in time to join the text of the tin tops in assembly.
Got my mandatory 3 laps done without drama, then pushed on, only for the safety car to come out. After that, got 1 more good lap before coming in for our driver change.
Stuart did a great job of qualifying us 20th. Even more amazing as we had no settings for the dampers and they were on full soft!
Based on feedback and a little experience, the team then set about dialling in the dampers and fitting the new crank sensor we purchased during qualifying. The borrowed item was then refitted to the donor car by Stuart.
It was decided that i do the first stint in the race as i do have some experience of getting a Clio off the line. First start was aborted after one lap due to red flag. Second start went well as I had had a practice by then. Up to 16th on lap 1. Several incidents followed including another safety car incident which partially blocked the chicane. At one point after the safety car I was up to 2nd, then out came the pit board for driver change. The change went as smoothly as rehearsals in the paddock and Stuart went out. As the field sorted itself out after all the stops were done, we were 3rd overall, but the faster cars were closing in. In the final few laps Stuart was having a great tussle with James for 5th. We then attracted the attention of the Proton, which made some very ambitious attempts to get past, including an all 4 wheels off lunge going down Craner. Then finally, just after starting the last lap, the Clio's brake pedal went to the floor while braking for Redgate, and we ended up in the gravel.
A fantastic first event, with what might have been pushing us on to the next event. Thanks to everyone who said hello, the guy that lent us his crank sensor and the team, who did a brilliant job all day.
Should have some pics to post tomorrow. Look forward to seeing James in car footage, which will show what the Proton was upto.
Well done to all the Clio's on the day. A great result.