First Racing Incident...Ok, Crash (Now with video)
Entry posted by Terzo204
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Regrettably, I have to write that I had my first racing incident at Pembrey on Sunday. The cars looking decidedly second hand at the moment as the rear offside wheel was literally hanging off. The upright had sheared in two places and will need to be repaired. I also sheared the brake line off the top of the calliper and the rear arch is completely mashed.
The race weekend started well as I finally found a hotel that’s welcoming, comfortable, with good food and not silly money. I packed ear plugs so my mates snoring didn’t keep me awake and all was looking good…except the weather. Well it is Wales I suppose. I manage to get to the circuit late after my friend insisted on getting his breakfast from the hotel (only as it was included and he wanted his…..sorry…...my moneys worth!). No bother but I decided to go on wets just before we were called to the assembly area so it was a little rushed for quali. I went out and only found out half way round the circuit that we were doing the new circuit layout, which was a bit of a surprise to say the least. It also just started to rain a little harder. I did a few familiarisation laps and then pitted to get my pressures done, only my friend had forgotten the pressure gauge. Damn. I went out for two last laps and pressed on. I qualified 9th out of 23 and I was happy with that.
The first race was equally a rush to prepare for as I had a bit of movement in my seat and when fixing it, the seat was out when we were called to the assembly area. I also switched to my dry tyres (Avon ZZR’s), good job I borrowed a wheel gun. The circuit was drying with a dry line but soaked in a few places. The race started well as I went round the outside of the hairpin at the start and gained a place into 8th. I then out-braked two cars in one corner on the new hairpin, putting me up to 6th. I finished the first lap and was then out-dragged on the straight. I tried to outbreak the other car only to slightly overcook it and half spin. I lost 4 places and was far too keen to get them back….a few corners along I tried the same move at the new hairpin and just carried too much speed into the corner, unsighted, another car turned in and I collect him. I was gutted and missed out on a good place and the second race. I apologised to the other driver and had a huge slice of humble pie, with extra loss of pride drizzled over the top. The Marshalls said it was a racing incident, but I know it was too ambitious so lesson learnt.
The car is now at my local motorsport garage for repairs and I’m really hoping to get out there for the next race at Coombe. It’s my local circuit and I was really looking forward to it. Fingers crossed.
I found out afterwards, one other driver lost his cool , pulled up to another drivers car, opened the door and hit him on the arm! He was excluded from the result and no doubt will get points on his licence.
The circuit photographer summed up my feelings perfectly with a epic shot:
I have the video, but have decided not to post it as it just bad 'form' on my part when I hit someone else. I still feel bad about it now. Thats the highs and lows of racing I guess.
Mike
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