Black Flag Woes
Entry posted by Terzo204
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So this was to be my first time racing at Silverstone and I was really looking forward to this race. We were to use the International circuit including the new ‘Wing’ facility (the F1 pits and conferencing facility on the floors above). The race was also to be my first with a standing start (other than sprints). All my previous races were rolling starts.
I got to the circuit on the Saturday afternoon as I had a friend racing on the National circuit over the Sat and Sun. I ‘negotiated’ my way into the BRSCC paddock (with the CSCC pass) and watched his race.
At 6pm I was then to move the car into the allocated garage of ‘The Wing’ for storage overnight. Annoyingly the bloke at the entrance to the paddock would not let anyone in until 7pm. The queue of race trucks, trailers, cars and vans stretched half way round the Stowe circuit. I took the opportunity to walk the pit wall and have a ‘nosey’. When we were let in I got the car off the trailer and generally set up for the following day.
As I was one of a few not drinking in our group, I ended up driving most of the group out for a meal in Towcester. Was a nice night albeit, a late one. The hotel was at Newport Pagnell services and after dropping many a drunk back at the paddock I then had to drive to the hotel. It took much longer than I thought. As is normally the case, I didn’t sleep well at all. I last checked the alarm clock at 1.30am and I think it was another hour before I dropped off. The alarm went off at 6.15am….
I got up and collected my pit b1tch/friend to drive to the circuit. The rain looked like it was going to stay away as it was a beautiful summer’s morning. I got to the garage and went to sign-on. It turned out scrutineering was also at 7.30am, coinciding with sign-on and I nearly missed it! Luckily my friend managed to sort most of the process, only a larger ‘E’ sticker was required on the new passenger tonneau cover. I attended the obligatory drivers briefing and we all enquired about the rules for track limits, racing (within the 60kph speed limit) in the pit lane etc, etc.
Quali was at 9.15am and after managing to remember which way the circuit went (I had not driven the circuit since 2011), managed to get in some consistency in my lap times. I was hoping for the 1.18’s and I managed a 1.19.019. I was happy enough with that and the car felt balanced as always (thanks Adam R once again). This put me 23rd out of 28 and this was what I was expecting in a sea of Caterham 420R’s, barmy 2.3 litre Duratec Caterhams, and some more normal machinery. I was the only Westie and only an M K Indy was there to keep me company in the field of Caterhams.
I then had a wait until the race at 3.00pm. I took the opportunity to go watch my friends last race on the National circuit and then got back to find my race had been bought forward…bu44er. This was now tight on time. To cap it off, my Brother had just called asking to be collected from the gate (I had his ticket) and so I set off in the car to grab him. ‘Apparently’ I was a little too keen and got a ticking off by the bloke at the gate (yes – him again!).
I managed to get back just in time to fuel up and check pressures etc as I had parked the car up after Quali and just left it. Lesson learnt I think. I then sat in the assembly area for what felt like a lifetime, although this did give me opportunity to get in the correct frame of mind prior to the start.
We then set off out of the assembly area and round to the grid. I warmed up the tyres and got plenty of heat into the brakes. We made our way round to the grid and were shown our grid positions by a fast moving Marshall prior to the 5 second board going up. This was it – race time and don’t blink as the lights come on…
A few seconds later the lights went out and we were racing. I had an acceptable start but my lack of practice showed as I could have dialled in a few more revs. Before I know it I was right in the middle of a group of cars going into Abbey. I battled hard for the first few corners and went wheel to wheel with one car and just managed to get a nose ahead into the corner prior to Hanger Straight. I then seamed to drop the following pack of cars and got myself a bit of clear air. I was able to get into a rhythm for the first 10 laps or so prior to my pit stop. Annoyingly, I out braked myself going into Club and missed a good opportunity to pass one of the Supersports. Better luck next time mike.
When the pit board came out saying ‘PIT’ I went round only to be lapped by the leaders at precisely the wrong moment. I went round for another lap to ensure no problems/calamities. I entered the pits and waited for the minute to pass (the minimum time I have to wait). My friend Bob was attending this race having not seen me race before with the CSCC. He counted down the 60 seconds and waved me out. I could see a car close to me when I set off and thought not much about it…. After all, we are allowed to race in the pits. I went out for the second part of the race and managed to get up to 17th.
Then, a few laps later, I just caught the sight of a black flag on the pit wall. I had never seen a black flag served on a competitor in my entire Club racing days. Much to my gut wrenching horror, I then noticed it has my number next to it… What had I done now? I was completely mortified, was this race over? I went into the pits and looking back at the video, I had missed that under the flag it stated ‘Stop and Go’. I duly served the penalty and got straight back out there with the bit between my teeth.
Damn. My first black flag….
The rest of the race went as well as I could expect and I managed to break the 1.18 barrier and post a 1.18.731. I don’t think there was much more time to find so I was happy. I came back into the pits happy with my performance at least and finish 20th.
I packed up my gear and headed to the awards ceremony. Turns out, even if you are the only person in your class that you still get a trophy? Well like Mutley from Wacky Races I accepted it and got a copy of my times. At the bottom of the sheet it stated ‘Car 14 Black Flag for unsafe release from the pits’. I was gutted as this cost me approx. 23 seconds and that would likely have gained me at least one and possibly two positions. Well that’s life I suppose. My friend who was ‘helping’ with the pit stop timing is now known as ‘Bad release Bob’ or maybe that should be ‘black flag bob’?
Roll on Pembrey on the 23rd of June with the WSSCC. This racing lark is great fun, even if a little frustrating at times.
(Vid to follow)
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