Tel's Tales Issue 036-Mira Aug 2014
Entry posted by Terry Everall
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Tel's Tales 036– MIRA 2nd August 2014
An early 0500hrs start again for me along with a very good chance of rain saw me on my way to Mira for the start of the weekend which also included the round trip to Hethel on Sunday (see Blog). A good entry of 13 cars were spread around the paddock which did not look very full so thoughts of lots of runs flashed through my mind but this is an MAC event so only ever get two timed runs! There had been rain en route and the track was wet but no standing water for P1 but as it was practice I kept my slicks on. In an attempt to keep away the rain I even erected my gazebo but that didn't work and P2 saw more rain which made the track very very wet with lots of puddles and opportunities for aquaplaning! Several drivers had big moments and it was looking like it would end up being a 100 point 1.6e event as we were miles away from the target times. As usual Simon Broadbridge was pushing hard but ended up on the grass and out of control but I think he avoided hitting the tyre wall but did bend the timing strut and rip off the alloy engine bay undertray which was all quickly repaired by the usual Westfield paddock service crew. There was a bit of a debate about the use of waterproof suits over our fireproof overalls but sense prevailed and we kept them on as there is nothing worse than sitting in a rainwater collection device (the Westfield car) with every part of you wet and soaked to the skin. I am sure there were lots of incidents that I was not aware of as its a fast tricky track even in the dry. At the end of P2 it was decided that there would be a third practice.......god knows why they do that!.........but about half way through the runs a car went off on the last corner and unfortunately hit a marshal who was standing on the outside of the track but presumably not behind a barrier. Next thing we knew there was an air ambulance on the scene ( don't know how it got past security!) and two ambulances to attend to him. It is believed that he suffered a broken elbow and that the approved marsall's position will be reviewed.
We started timed runs after lunch when the track began to dry out a bit. I remained on slicks having inially fitted my wets as reports came back from early runners that the track was ok. What they did not tell me was that on the lefthander after Tower there was a deep puddle on the outside of the track!!!! Guess who found it and had a big moment with controlling a tank slapper and avoiding all the cones to record 51.79secs ( class G target 47.51secs). Dave Cleaver was going strongly again and was quicker with 50.21 secs (class F target 48.44 secs) and Adrian Clinton Watkins posting a 52.70 secs ( class E target 49.29secs).There were some mutterings about this being a low scoring event as we had gone too quickly for a 1.6e result but the track needed to be much drier for the last runs.
The start of T2 runs showed that although the track was drier it was still not great and a few puddles remained on some parts of the track to make things a bit more interesting as most people's times improved. After his earlier mishap, Simon Broadbridge had a good run with 55.24secs to win class A against Craig Spooner on 56.36secs and David Reed on 58.96secs. Martin Harvey alone in class B recorded a very creditable 53.03 secs (target 52.17 secs). Graham Frankland and his gluten free drive won class C with 56.29secs from George Newrick on 58.34secs. In Class D Keith Adams completed his day with 53.03 secs from Mark Schlanker on 55.21secs whilst in class F Dave Cleaver took the win on 50.21 secs on his T1 time as he did a 360deg spin on T2 (trying too hard!). Pete Goulding went well but his best was 50. 37secs. ACW was fastest Westfield recording 48.36s secs to break the Class E record of 49.29secs and I recorded 48.62 which was an ok time.. I must not forget John Roberts who was out for the second time in the battery powered electric car who has no problem passing the noise test!. I offered some advice on the suspension set up etc but that really is one heavy car and maybe restricted his time to 59.16secs. In his own words he needs more testing/seat time but can only do 15 mins in total I think!!!!!!
So we packed up and in my case I set the sat nav to get me to the Bird in Hand pub car park at Hethel ready for a meal and 0600hrs start on Sunday for Hethel. Paul Aspden was on his way as well and when he arrived his VW van had punctured a rear tyre so that was his first job for Sunday morning sorted.
Terry Everall
Speed Series Correspondent
Class G competitor
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