Silverstone - so this is it...?

Silverstone circuit appears twice on our 2011 race calendar and book-ends our season.  Earlier in the year we’d used the full GP circuit and I had managed to claim a good qualifying position but suffered from some over-enthusiasm in the first race.  On this occasion, there were a few differences – not least that we were using the International South circuit, the configuration usually reserved for experience days.  In fact, we were the first ever users of this configuration and with an Historic event using the National circuit, Silverstone was making the most of things!

An additional consequence of using this circuit was that we would be using the new pits – the Silverstone Wing.  Formula One and GT Racing had used them before but never a club event.  The facilities were built amid mounting pressure on the circuit owners to improve the facilities or face losing the F1 GP.  There has been some criticism of the view of the pits but the new complex is amazing – loads of space, clean and well built.  In fact the only problem was access from the main gate is lengthy…

Friday, 21^st October was set aside as a Track Day run by Book-a-Track.  This format allows passengers but no timing (Test Days don’t allow passengers but do allow timing).  From next year, Book-a-Track hopes to run ‘Trest’ Days (basically a bundling of the rules for both).  This new word was coined on the Friday morning briefing – if the OUP come looking for the first published use of the word, I’d appreciate a mention…

The sessioned day ran like any other – we had been on much of the circuit before but cut across from Abbey to the top of the Hanger Straight.  In reality, this meant that only one of the corners was new…  But the day was well-spent learning it (as it runs onto the longest straight, the exit is vital), and changing a few things on the car.  Jon again leant me his Green Anti-roll Bar and I found it the best set-up.

As timing wasn’t allowed, it was difficult to get an idea of relative pace.  I spent some time driving near other cars (notably Pete Bassage – a session where I learnt a huge amount) but this still wasn’t a gauge of competitiveness.

Therefore, come Qualifying on Saturday morning (22^nd October), and with two races later in the day, I had little idea of how I’d go.  Previously, I’d been able to make good progress at the track – I’m brave round the faster corners – so I felt confident.  I put on fresh tyres (they’d been scrubbed in but were pretty new) and set out for 20 minutes Qualifying.  Myself and Jon again decided to work together and after a few laps of getting heat in the tyres (amazing the difference new rubber makes), the brakes warm (essential for being able to stop reliably) and getting space for myself (overtaking or slowing as appropriate), I popped my first decent lap in.

At under 1m20sec, it gave me some confidence of a good starting position but we still had plenty of time left.  I saw Jon in my mirrors and over the next lap slowed enough for him to catch me.  As he got near, I made sure I kept ahead of him and after a lap or two, waved him past.  The next lap was spent in his tow and as I crossed the line, I found I’d gone even quicker than before.  The last few laps were frustrating as we caught some slower cars but on returning to the pits, I found my time was good enough for third on the grid!  My best ever qualifying position.  Clearly, the plan with Jon had worked – he ended up in pole position…

As a result of this being my last race, I had some stickers made acknowledging the people who had done the most to help me through the year – on three panels around the car, I had mentions for people including my family, friends and some of the other competitors.  It also included mentions for a few of the companies that have helped me on my way, photographers who have documented my racing and even my boss.

With everything in a day, again, there was little time to do anything with the newly liveried car.  It was a bit odd coming round to line up on the grid for the start and seemed to be waiting for an age before the lights came on.  Perhaps too long.  I spent too long thinking about how best to get off the line and as the lights went out, I suffered from perhaps my worst start of the year.  The wheels were spinning and once I got going, I think I was perhaps down towards 10^th…  The first corner’s very quick and I lined up calmly in the order – as I’d been reminded before the start (by Wes Fox), I was quick and could make my way up the order in the event of a poor start.  At the first real braking point of the track, I stayed on the normal line while other cars tried to cover one another.  I ended up going round the outside of some cars and up behind Ross.  On the run towards the top of Hanger, I went to tuck in behind him hoping to get a tow down the straight.  At the last second, I felt confident enough to pass him and swept up his inside and ahead down the straight – following Kurt and catching him.  I’d made my way back up to 7^th and thought that keeping close to Kurt would help make the appropriate progress back towards the front.

As we came to Vale, I lined up to challenge Kurt but a yellow flag and safety car board was put out by the marshalls.  I held station behind him and slowed – clearly there had been a serious incident at the start.  Despite the flags, I was overtaken into Club by John Toshack – he clearly hadn’t seen the flags.  I opened the gap to him as I slowed but coming on to the start straight, he slammed his brakes on as he realised what was happening.  I didn’t have time to slow and swerved to go round him but as I did, the wayward Adam White hit the back of my car (I’d glimpsed him in my mirror off the circuit and sideways out of club).  This sent me into a slide and I hit the wall backwards, coming to a rest in almost the exact same place as I’d started the race just a lap before.

The consequenses hit me instantly and I burst into tears.  I was out of the race, and wasn’t going to have a car capable of even entering the second race later in the day.

Marshalls pushed the car off the track and that was it.  Over.

The safety car had been brought out because of a prang at the start – in fact, one chap hurt his ribs.  I accompanied him to the medical centre (a request that I went came from the marshalls) but we both returned to the pits after a quick check.  On my return, Caterham had confirmed what I already knew – the car was beyond fixing at the track.  For the second time this year, Adam had run into me and done significant damage to the car...  By the way, Adam contributes nothing to the repairs, loss of entry fees or significant insurance excess...

My last race.  My best Qualifying position.  Barely a lap completed.

I was well supported at this event – my Mum and Dad, my Brother John and his family all came to see me.  My wife’s Dad and Uncle were also there.  ‘The Other’ Claire and Ian were joined by Andrew Kettle.  I had Simon Cox and his significant other come to watch the racing.  Of course, my Wife, Claire was on hand to offer sympathy and support (and more than a choice swear-word or two regarding how I ended up out of the race!) – I love her very much for helping make everything feel OK.

For the few days after going out so disappointingly, I did a lot of crying but ultimately I was fine even though the car wasn’t.  There were some high-profile people in Motorsport who didn’t fare so well immediately before the weekend and during it.  I’m amazingly thankful for that.

Anglesey - beside the sea

Anglesey was the replacement for our cancelled weekend at Donington Park.  It's a long way from home but I knew it was a popular destination - there are good reviews of the circuit on forums and in the press.  The circuit was re-built a few years ago and while the facilities are very basic (no pits and a portakabin for Race Control), the circuit is excellent.  We were warned of two corners in advance of venturing out for the first time on the test day: Rocket is a blind left-hander which follows the fastest section of the circuit and Peel opens to reveal the most spectacular view in Motorsport.  Such was the shock of seeing miles of Welsh coastline as I turned the corner for the first time, I literally took an extra breath - then remembered there's a tricky corner coming and had to break sharply...!

Testing saw us out for four sessions and while the track was dry, the wind was very keen.  My wife, Claire, braved the day to join me on the Friday before our race weekend - and spent her day trying to shelter from the worst the weather had to offer!

The circuit is quite technical with elevation changes, off-camber corners and corners requiring a brave commitment.  The advice we received suggesting we'd struggle to get the most from our time seemed true - it was very difficult to work out the best lines through the corners.  I changed a few settings during the day and settled on anti-roll bar and tyre choices.

The next morning (Saturday, 24th September) and the weather had changed: no wind but wet.  Come qualifying, the rain had stopped but the track was still damp.  Venturing out, it was clear the the track would be slippy but as there was no more rain, it was likely to dry.  Early on, I gained confidence and cut time from my lap - I eventually started to run close to Spencer Horgan which I thought might help get me a slipstream.  When I returned to parc ferme after the chequered flag came out, I was the first to arrive - I'd been the first to take the flag and missed one lap compared to everyone else.  I end up with 14th fastest time - I knew I was quicker than the time suggested so I knew I was likely to have an exciting race.

Later that day and the rain was gone along with the damp surface.  Less treaded tyres were put on and I lined up on the grid for Race One.  The plan was to buck my trend for poor starts and keep out the way of those struggling to get round the first corner - a fast left-hander.  Amazingly, the plan kind of worked - I get a reasonable start and got to the second corner in one piece.  Unfortunately, I didn't make much progress up the order.

As the race progressed, I had a good battle with three or four cars and had to avoid a few spinning cars (at one point, I narrowly missed Ross).  In the end, I had some space for myself and set about tracking down the 8th place Ian Davis.  I caught him but on the second to last corner of the race, I made a slight mistake and allowed him some space.  We cross the line near one-another and I get 9th place - making five places in the race is a good result.

The next day for Race Two, and the weather had changed - again.  No rain but the wind was up.  I start 9th on the grid and start in a similar way to the first race - a couple of laps in and I'm free of the chasing pack and make my way past Ian Davis - up to 7th.  I keep an eye on my mirrors and see there are some battles going on behind.  As the last lap approaches, Jim Needham has made some good progress after a problem in race one, and gets in my tow down the long straight.  I try to keep him behind me but I lose sight of him.  It's only once we're on the fastest part of the circuit and I realise he's alongside me on the grass.  He takes his chance at Rocket but runs a little wide on exit so I pass him back.  He follows me through the rest of the lap and a yellow flag on the last corner stops his progress allowing me to run untroubled across the line in 7th place.

Having finished 7th from a starting position of 14th after Qualifying, I'm happy with the way things turned out.  A massive thank you to my wife, Claire, for coming along and putting up with the weather for three days!  I love you so very much.  Additionally, thanks to my Mum, Dad and Brother John for trekking all the way to Anglesey.  Thank you to Mum and Dad for footing the bill for the excellent B&B.

All pictures from Rachel Horgan.

Qualifying and two races in a day at Oulton Park

Oulton Park in Cheshire has a great deal to offer - it's a great challenge through some great countryside, it has some good facilities (as all Motorsport Vision circuits do) and spectators are able to see a great deal of the best parts of the circuit.  British Touring Cars visit as well and a variety of other high-profile series.

Historically, it has attracted star drivers to the big races held at the demanding circuit.

One of the drawbacks to having the circuit set in the countryside is that there are strict planning restrictions relating to noise coming from the track.  Therefore, we were forced to have Qualifying and two races crammed into one day.

Having tested the previous day, I was as ready as I could be for the day.

Qualifying started early in the day and just before our 20 minute stint, I spoke with Jon Mortimer.  We would try and work together in order to make the most of our time on circuit.  Our plan was to try and drag each other round, getting a slipstream when appropriate.  What we hadn't bargained for was Peter Bassage being just ahead of us and we regularly catch him.  In the end, this may have offered us some help as Jon got himself into 2nd position and I found myself in 8th.

Race one soon came along and I lined up on the left of the track.  Sadly, a poor start and I lost a few places off the line.  Keeping out of trouble at the start and I felt a lot quicker than those ahead - in fact, the cars immediately in front of me were holding me up.  I continued in this position for a few laps but eventually I made a mistake and dropped off the back of the pack.  For some reason after this point, I seemed to struggle to get back on terms - the car seemed to change its feel and ultimately I finished a disappointing 11th.

No time to question the performance as Race Two soon came round.  Just as we were about to head out on to the circuit to take the start, the rain started - gently at first...

Off the line, I continue my poor form and lose a couple of places.  The rain continues and I get into a rhythm.  As the surface gets wetter, cars ahead start to struggle.  I make an effort to drive smoothly (something I'm generally OK at!) as others start to slide off the track!  After a drag race with James Needham up the hill at the back of the circuit, I'm up to 5th position.  The damp conditions are suiting me and I'm feeling confident.

A few corners later and Aaron Head (easily the best in the wet) come past me.  He'd been involved in an earlier incident and was recovering well.  I make it difficult for him and his compromised line through a corner has me right on his tail...  In my over-enthusiasm to keep close, I'm just too early on the throttle and the back of the car slips wide.  I save the spin but end up on the inside of the track watching several of the cars I'd passed going away from me.  I'm really angry with myself - in fact I punch the steering wheel - but try to close the gap in front.

Trouble at the first corner where as the track starts to dry, I mis-judge the grip available, run wide and spin on to the grass.  My tyres are soaked and cold after this and it takes a while to get back up to speed.  This has knocked my confidence and in the last corner of the last lap, I lose another place to Spencer Horgan putting back to 13th.

A really disappointing day results-wise but a really enjoyable day all the same.

An added bonus was that I had perhaps the biggest following of support I've had so far - my ever-present wife and parents were joined by my Brother John and his family.  Additionally, Ian (my D.O.P.E) made the long return trip with Holly (sadly, 'The Other' Claire couldn't join him - she was looking after June...), Claire's Dad and Uncle came along and a good friend from work, Rhys popped in with a friend of his.

I'm really thankful for the support and the effort people have made to help me.

Next up - Anglesey on the 23rd, 24th and 25th September.  All pics from Rachel Horgan.

Oulton Park - Been on a trackday, now a test day

Oulton Park stood in for a cancelled Silverstone trackday earlier in the year and I really enjoyed the circuit.  Experience showed that in the wet, it's a very tricky place so it was great to see that the Friday test day (on the 2nd September) prior to racing was dry.

Just about everyone was present and I shared a garage with Wes Fox - while our wives went shopping at Cheshire Oaks...

The first session of the day and with knowledge of the circuit and a renewed trust in the front of the car resulting from the Green anti-roll bar inherited from Jon Mortimer, I felt confident.  That confidence lasted one corner.  Understeer - with a bit more understeer.

The Green ARB wasn't working for me and I was missing corner apex after corner apex.  The only way to make it was to slow the car more than I felt necessary.  On coming back to the pits, I advised John it wasn't working and we both decided to stay with the middle (Red) ARB.

Our sessions were spread throughout the day and ultimately I ended with a reasonable time compared with some of the other drivers - but still over a second off the best pace.

The day stayed dry, it would be nice if the race day was the same...

Zandvoort - The Historic Dutch Circuit - sort of...

Zandvoort Circuit hosted races for more than thirty years before finishing as a top level Formula One track over twenty years ago.  The current configuration is newer than the one that hosted races in the past but many of the best corners are the same.  In fact, having now driven it, I can easily say it is an excellent and challenging circuit.  Fast, flowing corners as well as undulations and hairpins for a lap of just over two minutes.

The weekend of Saturday and Sunday, 9th and 10th July hosted almost every Caterham series in the UK including the Graduates.  The packed Caterham schedule had Qualifying and Race One on Saturday with a warm-up and Race Two on Sunday.  All pictures from Rachel Horgan.

The weather for the weekend was expected to be changeable and Qualifying started in the wet.  Over our twenty minutes of track-time, the track started to dry but there were still several patches of very slippy surface.  As I came round each time, I felt I could have gone more quickly so would always try to improve each lap.  Sadly, I missed the best the circuit had to offer and found myself in 8th on the grid.  Not bad but I felt I could have gone more quickly.

Race One began in dry and bright conditions.  The grid was set up slightly differently to normal in that we lined up similarly to a Formula One race - a fully staggered grid.  Normally, we line up in rows of two.  This meant we would have a little more room off the line but it also meant the grid spread further up the track.

Off the start, I made progress towards the back of the car that had hit me at Brands Hatch and had to move across the circuit to avoid him pushing me towards the wall.  Thankfully, I was able to make it past him and I spent some laps following the battle for 4th - 8th places.  Eventually, the flag came out and I crossed the line in 7th place.

My biggest problem seemed to be with the second to last corner.  From this point, it's full throttle all along the start/finish straight so if the exit to this corner is wrong, you suffer along the straight.  At the time, I felt my car was under-powered so next morning, I arranged with Matt Whate to follow him for a couple of laps to see if I could stay close enough to gain from a slipstream.  It was clear that I'd been entering the corner too quickly and lifting on the exit - compromising my speed along the fastest part of the circuit.

After chatting with DPR and Wes Fox, I tried the stiffest anti-roll bar (ARB) for the warm-up.  Thanks to Jon Mortimer for lending it to me.  The difference was that the car seemed to be steadier on turn-in to a corner and have a little less movement in the corner.  The slight downside was a small increase in understeer.  I think the bar helped me (particularly with the second to last corner) so chose to run it in the race.

We were lucky again for Race Two.  The sun shone on the circuit as we went through the now familiar procedure at the start of the race.  As a result of my seventh in Race One, I line up on the opposite side to before and as the race gets underway, everyone seems to move to the right of the track.  This means I'm unhindered to the first corner and I make it on my way in one piece.  For the first couple of laps, I try to pick off one or two cars and make it to fifth with some good overtakes into a quick corner at the top of the circuit.

The car feels more comfortable in this race and I regret not being closer to the leaders as I feel I could have matched them.  Halfway through the race, Jon Mortimer comes past after he'd started at the back of the grid and we dice for a while - swapping positions over a couple of laps.

Just behind me is Chris Bingham and we have our own three-way battle for 5th place.  We stay close together as the last lap board comes out.  I try in vain to get a move past Jon and make sure of not making a mistake at the second to last corner.  Sadly, this means I lose a bit of speed through the corner and Chris behind me has a better exit.  Onto the straight, I try to keep him behind me but his tow from my car is too good.  He passes me on the to take sixth place leaving me where I started in seventh.  The margin is less than 0.05 seconds and I put my head in my hands as I realise what's happening over the line.

The gap may be bigger than when Jon beat me to the line at Brands in the Academy last year but I'm even more disappointed with the result.

Two seventh places aren't as good as I'd have hoped for but the car felt excellent after its recent work and with some new confidence with the new ARB, I'm looking forward to our next race.  We have a long wait as a result of Donington Park being cancelled so it'll be Oulton Park at the beginning of September.





Having come all the way to Zandvoort with me, I'm over the moon that my Mum and Dad could join me - in fact my Dad celebrated his 60th birthday on the Monday after the race so we bought him a cruise...  from the Hook of Holland to Harwich!

Finally, I love the fact that my wife comes along to support and help with my racing. xxxxxx

Zandvoort Test Day

Next round for the Caterham Roadsport Championship and we had an overseas trip to Holland.  Only 20 minutes from Amsterdam - and just by the sea - is Zandvoort.
The famous Dutch Circuit was to host a 'Caterham Eurofest' featuring Roadsport, Supersport and R300.  In addition, the Caterham Graduates' series joined us and the Dutch series had their own races (they were part of our races at Brands Hatch).

The Thursday and Friday before the race were designated Track days but I wasn't able to be there on the Thursday.  Instead, my wife, Claire, and my Mum and Dad travelled across with me from Harwich to the Hook of Holland on the Thursday day-ferry.  The 6-and-a-half hour crossing passed quickly enough - an added irony being that we lined up on the car deck behind the chap that hit me at Brands Hatch.  He barely mentioned the incident.....

On Friday morning, we were all given a briefing which suggested the Thursday had been a bit 'interesting'.  Basically, we were warned to keep it on the circuit or we'd be asked to leave...  Additionally, no instructors were permitted to take to the circuit with us.  So the instruction I'd booked took place with the instructor driving me round in a hired Opel Meriva...

The circuit is fabulous.  Undulations (in Holland!), blind crests, fast corners, slow corners - it had a bit of everything.  It also had a long straight meaning the second to last corner (the last time you'd need to brake on a lap) would be vital.  The morning was dry and having learnt the circuit in the first session, I started to feel more comfortable as I completed more laps.

In the afternoon, the rain came - in a massive downpour.  The whole circuit suffered but the last few corners were the worst.  It was so bad that I couldn't see anything.  At all.

I came in and told my Dad I couldn't see but when he started to wipe the outside of the screen, I had to explain it was the INSIDE of the screen that was causing me problems!  It was worthwhile being out in the wet and later it dried again.  With changeable conditions expected over the weekend, some wet running might prove useful.

Car is repaired and ready to go!

Having the car so badly damaged after Brands Hatch, I left it in the very capable hands of DPR Motorsport in order for them to repair it before heading off to Zandvoort for the next race.  With a fairly small gap between the races, it was a challenge to get the car ready.
The car had to be stripped, and trailered to Caterham's chassis facility near Swindon.  This is where the rear basket (the frame around the fuel tank) was replaced - basically, the old one was ripped off and the new one welded in place.  They then replaced the damaged body panels.

The work was done in just a day and the car returned to DPR for them to re-assemble the fuel tank and rear suspension.  I managed to collect the car on the Monday before we left for Holland on the Wednesday.  It couldn't have been left much longer...

A massive thank you to Derrick and David at DPR Motorsport for their efforts.  Additional thanks to my insurance company, REIS, for their speedy settlement.

Total cost of the work? £8500.  Thankfully, I have race insurance and while the excess was high, it could have been worse...