For the Snetterton weekend I partnered up with Shaun Ely, my mate who I normally race against but his Pugeot 205 is off being fettled at the moment (he's designed his own independent rear suspension for it!) and as he's been helping with the car we agreed for him to have a go in a Clio. I don't think he was disappointed..
So, we arrived just after 6am Sunday morning for a track walk and a chat about the car, gears, corners and strategy. The weather was looking dry and significantly cooler than recent race meetings which was welcome.
During our walk we also examined the new sausage curbs at Nelson and Murrays. The overiding message being.. Stay well clear or face drama.
Sadly, we didn't pass the message on to everyone..
Fortunately the car behaved this weekend although we were slightly hamstrung by worn tires. For the first time that I can remember our club tire supplier Adams & Page were not at the meet, meaning we couldn't get hold of any fresh rubber and our better set had one tire with a flat spot. So we chose the best of a bad bunch and had to go with it.
And, unlike Brands Indy the lack of power really showed on the straights at Snett which is much more of a power circuit.
Still, a respectable qualifying put us 14th out of 41 cars and 2nd in class.
We had a mixed grid this weekend, racing with the Turbo Tin Tops too which always makes the racing interesting. Despite the turbos they are rarely quicker than us mere NA mortals. Partly, I think down the weight and managing boost through corners etc. (so I've been told anyway)
I started the race, (a rolling start) and had a fairly successful first lap making up several places through the first 2 corners and promptly losing them again on the straights as the turbo cars powered past.
Photo credit - SJN Photography. Thanks!
This weekend we had rising BTCC star Daryl DeLeon racing with us in a Mini Cooper S in the turbo tin tops. Surprisingly we out qualified him but I found him on my bumper at the end of lap1 and had to exercise my finest defensive driving to hold him off for a few corners.
Photo credit - Matt Churton. Thanks!
Sadly, the GoPro only lasted 3 laps and the rear one packed up in the assembly area. I suspect the memory cards may need reformatting or renewing.
So, nothing more to show unfortunately but the pit stop went well and despite having an additional winners penalty of 30 seconds to take because Shaun won his last race at Cadwell we finished 8th over all and 2nd in class. 1st in class, James Wilson finished in 1st over all having a great last lap battle with Adam Brown in his Fiesta. And to my point about Turbo Tin Tops, only 2 in the top 8.
Another great weekend. Helped along by some great driving by Shaun too, who seemed to enjoy himself in the car and showed his experience in peddalling a new car and at a great pace, setting our fastest lap of the race too! (I need to up my game!)
A bit of a break now before Silverstone on the 6th September. Enough time to get the race engine in? We will see....
