First Quali and 2 x Races
Entry posted by Terzo204
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Well that really hit the spot - what a thrill that was. If I'm honest I have thought about nothing else for the last two years and to finally get to the grid was, it felt, like an achievement in itself. It easy to forget the amount of time I have spent in the garage / transporting the car to garages etc to get it all ready. Not to mention the expense.
So I managed to get a place in the general practice session on the Saturday night. It was all a bit rushed as it was my daughters birthday party that day and we had all her friends/parents round. I also found out last minute that I had to get the car scrutineered which didn't help. I had 35 minutes and I split it into two sessions, with my friend taking tyre pressures in between. The only problem being that I just started to get fuel starvation 5 minutes before the end and I didn't want to be a numpty and run out, so I came in. I posed a 1.20.2, which was better than my trackday (ahem) time of 1.21.8. The BMW compact and Fiesta race cars were also out and found the barriers more then once.
Practice meant that I was in a much better frame of mind going into the race day. I got to the circuit to sign-on and because the car was inspected the day before, it was already scrutineered. I had a chat with the Clark of the Course, as required by the Blue Book at your first race. The paddock was absolutely packed and I felt a little out my depth with a borrowed gazebo and tool kit from my house....Motorhomes and Race trucks provided seating areas, garages etc for those with a 'proper' budget. Before I know it, it was time to qualify. I found out that you are released onto the circuit in the order that you turn up and so I got to the front of the queue. Other than one car spinning in front of me and one car nearly collecting me from the rear as he lost control under breaking, it went well! I posted a 1.19.424. I was happy with that, 16th out of 32. Exactly in the middle of the pack.
We then had to wait a long time before the race and I didn't want to relax too much to make sure I was in the right frame of mind for the race. My Wife told me I was not 'talkative', which was more nerves than anything else. I checked the car at least twice and then went for the pre-race 'weight reduction' only to epically fail. my race suit dropped on the floor and for the rest of the day I smelt like a lift in a car park.
So my first race. I was quite aggressive with the tyre warming and trailed the brakes with my left foot to get some heat in them. It worked as I didn't notice cold tyres/brakes on the first lap. I even managed to bag a place on the first corner. I was all a blur from then on until the checkered flag. I had a small battle with another Westfield running slicks and 240 bhp motor, but I could not keep up - he was just too quick. I also had a Fiesta chasing me for a bit before he had a problem. For a large part of the race I was on my own, but this gave me some clear air to post a 1.19.402. I enjoyed it immensely and it was every bit as good as I could expect. There really is no substitute for wheel to wheel racing. I finished 14th.
Race two was reduced in time as the BMW's and Fiesta carnage lead to a slipping programme. The rolling start was a farse, with the leader heading off at about the second corner full chat! I also got a little confused as there was a car, totalled at Quarry and no yellow flags? I thought the race would have been red flagged because of that to be honest. I had a good battle with a 106 and a Civic before both had problems and tailed off. After much attrition, I finished 10th overall, second in Class. I even got a small trophy for my efforts!
What a great day and one i'll never forget.
When I figure out how, i'll post the videos.
Mike
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