Just a quick post to say that coverage of our race is on Motors TV and you get to see one of my overtakes while at the end, I'm namechecked for being 6th in the Championship!
I'm racing cars, it's on the TV and I get a mention!
Excellent.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Race at Rockingham
We arrived early at the circuit - a few sore heads wandering around the paddock after the previous evening's 'entertainment' provided by Caterham. One of the Academy cars had found its way into the road through the paddock as part of the larking about from the previous night.
It was the wind that became the most obvious change from Qualifying - it claimed one or two gazebos. Thankfully, the weather stayed dry and bright.
The events of the day include the entire Caterham Motorsport ladder as well as Formula Academy for Formula Ford cars and the Metro Cup. Sadly, the pick-up trucks pulled out so the 4th July stayed a mainly Caterham race day.
I made sure I was ready in good time - I was the first into the assembly area. Ian (my DOPE - Director Of Precipitation Equipment) ably holding an umbrella to keep me cool from the sun watched the cars come into the paddock. I wasn't much company at this point as I was feeling a bit nervous. In just a few minutes time, I'd be making my way to the grid...
As I lined up on my grid position, I suddenly realised I'd never be able to find my place again, but I knew I had the Green Flag lap first. Trying to find a white line amongst all the other possible positions led to a spot of panic - it always looks so easy on the TV. Fortunately, I spot the 'Row 4' sign just to my left so I only need to look for that when I return.
We set off on our Green Flag lap - so called because all the marshalls wave their Green flags to show their locations around the circuit. It was only half way round that I realised I had jumped ahead of the seventh-placed car and thoughts turned to Michael Schumacher being black-flagged for pulling ahead at the British GP a few years ago. Amazing what goes through your mind sometimes...
Once the Red lights went out, I tried to set off calmly - only to find other cars coming past me... A poor start aside, I immediately tried to make up for it. I take a car into the first corner then find myself on the right side of the circuit for the next corner - where I stay on the inside and take a couple more. Before the lap is out, I lose another place but I think I'm back to my starting place - 8th.
On the second lap, I pass Merlin (who had been leading but spins from the front) - and I continue to follow Matthew Waite. I feel quicker than him but as I peel onto the the main straight, immediately behind him, I miss a gear - a disaster at this point of the circuit. As you come onto the main straight, it's vital you get the gearing and traction correct - I lose out to Matthew and miss out on the chance to get a tow along the straight.
I'm soon back up behind him but do exactly the same again. It's evident my nerves are getting the better of me despite me feeling more comfortable in the car.
A couple of laps later, Merlin passes us both (I block him once on the infield section of the circuit but there's nothing you can do about a tow along the straight).
One more missed gear ruins any chance of finally getting past Matt but I'm elated at the end - I finish as I start - in 8th. When I get to Parc Ferme (where all cars are held until the scrutineers are happy to release them), I see my Dad, Brother and DOPE - and Claire gets to see me soon after - sadly, my Mum is working and can't see my first race. Everyone gets a hug - and Claire in particular deserves one! I've been grumpy for a couple of days and we've effectively run our lives round my racing for some time. I know I'm lucky and I'm putting that here so Claire knows I realise it.
It was great to see Simon Cox and his family see me at the end of the race - their company, get.embroidered have provided me with my shirts and hats showing off my website.
The first two pictures are from Rick Wilson, the third is from Rachel Horgan.
It was the wind that became the most obvious change from Qualifying - it claimed one or two gazebos. Thankfully, the weather stayed dry and bright.
The events of the day include the entire Caterham Motorsport ladder as well as Formula Academy for Formula Ford cars and the Metro Cup. Sadly, the pick-up trucks pulled out so the 4th July stayed a mainly Caterham race day.
I made sure I was ready in good time - I was the first into the assembly area. Ian (my DOPE - Director Of Precipitation Equipment) ably holding an umbrella to keep me cool from the sun watched the cars come into the paddock. I wasn't much company at this point as I was feeling a bit nervous. In just a few minutes time, I'd be making my way to the grid...
As I lined up on my grid position, I suddenly realised I'd never be able to find my place again, but I knew I had the Green Flag lap first. Trying to find a white line amongst all the other possible positions led to a spot of panic - it always looks so easy on the TV. Fortunately, I spot the 'Row 4' sign just to my left so I only need to look for that when I return.
We set off on our Green Flag lap - so called because all the marshalls wave their Green flags to show their locations around the circuit. It was only half way round that I realised I had jumped ahead of the seventh-placed car and thoughts turned to Michael Schumacher being black-flagged for pulling ahead at the British GP a few years ago. Amazing what goes through your mind sometimes...
Once the Red lights went out, I tried to set off calmly - only to find other cars coming past me... A poor start aside, I immediately tried to make up for it. I take a car into the first corner then find myself on the right side of the circuit for the next corner - where I stay on the inside and take a couple more. Before the lap is out, I lose another place but I think I'm back to my starting place - 8th.
On the second lap, I pass Merlin (who had been leading but spins from the front) - and I continue to follow Matthew Waite. I feel quicker than him but as I peel onto the the main straight, immediately behind him, I miss a gear - a disaster at this point of the circuit. As you come onto the main straight, it's vital you get the gearing and traction correct - I lose out to Matthew and miss out on the chance to get a tow along the straight.
I'm soon back up behind him but do exactly the same again. It's evident my nerves are getting the better of me despite me feeling more comfortable in the car.
A couple of laps later, Merlin passes us both (I block him once on the infield section of the circuit but there's nothing you can do about a tow along the straight).
One more missed gear ruins any chance of finally getting past Matt but I'm elated at the end - I finish as I start - in 8th. When I get to Parc Ferme (where all cars are held until the scrutineers are happy to release them), I see my Dad, Brother and DOPE - and Claire gets to see me soon after - sadly, my Mum is working and can't see my first race. Everyone gets a hug - and Claire in particular deserves one! I've been grumpy for a couple of days and we've effectively run our lives round my racing for some time. I know I'm lucky and I'm putting that here so Claire knows I realise it.
It was great to see Simon Cox and his family see me at the end of the race - their company, get.embroidered have provided me with my shirts and hats showing off my website.
The first two pictures are from Rick Wilson, the third is from Rachel Horgan.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Rockingham Qualifying
Signing on at 2pm is a rare luxury afforded to us because we're new to this - and our Qualifying session has been scheduled for late in the afternoon. However, this is the first time I've done this and I'm feeling a bit nervous. I'm grouchy, snappy and rude to Claire and my Dad. Why the f*ck do I care about the washing on a Saturday morning when I'm about to take part in my first competitive timed session of my life...? Perhaps, everyone will realise I need to be left alone before an official session - perhaps I should calm down...
So at 12.30pm on Saturday, 3rd July I arrived at Rockingham. My car was already there having been left there the night as I'd been testing on the Friday. I got the car off the trailer, checked the fuel, checked the tyres, checked the oil, checked the straps, checked everything.
We were lucky that we were allowed to sign-in early and the car was scrutineered early, too. Scrutineering is quite a difficult part of the day - any problems and you won't be allowed to race. They're a great bunch of chaps who talk you through everything they're looking at, have a bit of banter and see that your car's safe. Thankfully, I had no problems.
Soon before my Qualifying session, I had to get the car to the Assembly Area - this is so the marshalls know everyone's ready and the cars are sent out together. My DOPE (Director of Precipitation Equipment - Ian) came to hold a brolly over me - it was really hot. After a short wait, I was able to set off and start 15 minutes of getting round the track as quickly as I could - this would determine my track position for the race the next day.
The session was tricky - I tried to stay close to some cars (you get a great tow down the main straights) but I realise this may have held me up in other areas. In any case, I managed to get the car into 8th place on the grid. I'd hoped for higher but this is a pretty good result. There are 25 cars on the grid and I'm much closer tot he front than the back.
So at 12.30pm on Saturday, 3rd July I arrived at Rockingham. My car was already there having been left there the night as I'd been testing on the Friday. I got the car off the trailer, checked the fuel, checked the tyres, checked the oil, checked the straps, checked everything.
We were lucky that we were allowed to sign-in early and the car was scrutineered early, too. Scrutineering is quite a difficult part of the day - any problems and you won't be allowed to race. They're a great bunch of chaps who talk you through everything they're looking at, have a bit of banter and see that your car's safe. Thankfully, I had no problems.
Soon before my Qualifying session, I had to get the car to the Assembly Area - this is so the marshalls know everyone's ready and the cars are sent out together. My DOPE (Director of Precipitation Equipment - Ian) came to hold a brolly over me - it was really hot. After a short wait, I was able to set off and start 15 minutes of getting round the track as quickly as I could - this would determine my track position for the race the next day.
The session was tricky - I tried to stay close to some cars (you get a great tow down the main straights) but I realise this may have held me up in other areas. In any case, I managed to get the car into 8th place on the grid. I'd hoped for higher but this is a pretty good result. There are 25 cars on the grid and I'm much closer tot he front than the back.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Testing Testing - Let's Rock!
Test days are different to Track days for a number of reasons: you must have a Racing Licence (so no briefing, either!), you don't have to follow track day etiquette (so you can pass on either side), you can time your laps but you can't take any passengers (including instructors).
So it was that on Friday, 2nd July I took to the track on my first test day. The relaxed atmosphere of the track day was gone and a more regimented, sessioned day took place. For thirty minutes in every ninety, we got to put laps in with other Academy cars around you. The difference to the track day was that it was a bit more competitive, a bit more intense.
I started the day re-fitting the damaged light lens I sustained at Brands Hatch (Wes had kindly returned my replacement after 'Useless Josh' (though he's anything but...) had taken it accidentally after Rockingham). This proved to be a bit more of a job than I first expected so I was a few minutes late for my first session.
A few drops of rain in the morning didn't bring the expected slippy conditions but it was certainly useful to experience the track in the damp. During the day, the only 'damage' I incurred was a wiper arm that detached itself down the straight and the tax disc falling off the windscreen.
It's amazing how much I missed the help from my wife, family and friends. Being on your own really does prove more difficult.
So it was that on Friday, 2nd July I took to the track on my first test day. The relaxed atmosphere of the track day was gone and a more regimented, sessioned day took place. For thirty minutes in every ninety, we got to put laps in with other Academy cars around you. The difference to the track day was that it was a bit more competitive, a bit more intense.
I started the day re-fitting the damaged light lens I sustained at Brands Hatch (Wes had kindly returned my replacement after 'Useless Josh' (though he's anything but...) had taken it accidentally after Rockingham). This proved to be a bit more of a job than I first expected so I was a few minutes late for my first session.
A few drops of rain in the morning didn't bring the expected slippy conditions but it was certainly useful to experience the track in the damp. During the day, the only 'damage' I incurred was a wiper arm that detached itself down the straight and the tax disc falling off the windscreen.
It's amazing how much I missed the help from my wife, family and friends. Being on your own really does prove more difficult.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Track day at the Rock
A perk of being part of the Caterham Academy is that they carry a little weight when it comes to some Motorsport-related companies. I get a discount on my insurance, I get a discount on my racewear and when Caterham say they want to book a track-day, they book the whole thing.
On 12th June 2010, Caterham had pulled their influential weight with Book-a-Track and block-booked their advertised day for Caterham Motorsport competitors only. I feel for the chap in the Clio (I suspect he'd been suitably 'looked-after' for having his place cancelled) that had booked a place but it made for a good day - in sessions throughout the day with other Academy entrants.
We were given 20 minutes in each hour and in one of my early sessions I took some instruction. Frankly, my instructor sounded like he had the perfect job: he was a rent-a-driver for people with historic cars who wanted an additional pot of skill for racing their pride-and joys. If he's reading this, I'd like a job.
The rest of the day consisted of 20 minute sessions and I got to learn the track that I'll be racing on in a few weeks for my first race.
I shared the day with Wes (again!) in a garage along with Fulvio Mussi who Wes has 'hired' to give him some coaching. Fulvio is a great chap - he looked after a friend of mine - Agnes - when she competed in Formula Woman a few years ago.
There aren't any pictures to put on here but I should be able to direct you to Rachel Horgan again - just look for the Rockingham Track Day pictures. It would be good if you could take a look at her charity donation site in aid of the Richard Burns Foundation where she'd like to encourage you to make a donation to this excellent cause in exchange for taking a look at her pictures.
I was really pleased to have Simon Cox and his family join me for part of the day (very ably looked-after by my wife, Claire). Simon has provided my racewear through his company 'get.embroidered' and I was pleased to take some of them out for a few laps (I just hope he's a little less green now...).
On 12th June 2010, Caterham had pulled their influential weight with Book-a-Track and block-booked their advertised day for Caterham Motorsport competitors only. I feel for the chap in the Clio (I suspect he'd been suitably 'looked-after' for having his place cancelled) that had booked a place but it made for a good day - in sessions throughout the day with other Academy entrants.
We were given 20 minutes in each hour and in one of my early sessions I took some instruction. Frankly, my instructor sounded like he had the perfect job: he was a rent-a-driver for people with historic cars who wanted an additional pot of skill for racing their pride-and joys. If he's reading this, I'd like a job.
The rest of the day consisted of 20 minute sessions and I got to learn the track that I'll be racing on in a few weeks for my first race.
I shared the day with Wes (again!) in a garage along with Fulvio Mussi who Wes has 'hired' to give him some coaching. Fulvio is a great chap - he looked after a friend of mine - Agnes - when she competed in Formula Woman a few years ago.
There aren't any pictures to put on here but I should be able to direct you to Rachel Horgan again - just look for the Rockingham Track Day pictures. It would be good if you could take a look at her charity donation site in aid of the Richard Burns Foundation where she'd like to encourage you to make a donation to this excellent cause in exchange for taking a look at her pictures.
I was really pleased to have Simon Cox and his family join me for part of the day (very ably looked-after by my wife, Claire). Simon has provided my racewear through his company 'get.embroidered' and I was pleased to take some of them out for a few laps (I just hope he's a little less green now...).
Monday, 5 July 2010
Brands spanking new - Indy circuit Track-day
After a night at Wes' house, we both set off for a track-day at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. I've been a few times to Brands and think it's a great spectator circuit - but I've never driven it and was looking forward to getting my first chance.
We were lucky to arrive and get the last of the available garages which really helped - as then it started raining... Bear in mind that my last run on a circuit was in the wet and I'd spun off in the conditions.
After a few sighting laps behind the pace car, I got the opportunity to experience Paddock Hill Bend, Druids, Grahame Hill Bend and Clearways in the damp... And there was more grip available than I thought. The problem is that I couldn't see ANYTHING behind me and I spent more time trying to keep out the way of cars I couldn't see than making any progress. My confidence now completely shot - I lined up to take some instruction.
When my instructor approached the car he just pointed and said, "I'm not getting in that!" So my instruction took place in a Seat Leon... Despite this, I got a great idea of the best lines (and there are some places where a small change in line can make a massive difference).
After instruction, I went out and started to gain speed and confidence - and as the conditions improved, I got quicker.
The rest of the day was spent learning the track some more and eventually, I got to overtake some cars in my own right.
A great day at a great circuit. Once the weather improved, I really enjoyed it.
We were lucky to arrive and get the last of the available garages which really helped - as then it started raining... Bear in mind that my last run on a circuit was in the wet and I'd spun off in the conditions.
After a few sighting laps behind the pace car, I got the opportunity to experience Paddock Hill Bend, Druids, Grahame Hill Bend and Clearways in the damp... And there was more grip available than I thought. The problem is that I couldn't see ANYTHING behind me and I spent more time trying to keep out the way of cars I couldn't see than making any progress. My confidence now completely shot - I lined up to take some instruction.
When my instructor approached the car he just pointed and said, "I'm not getting in that!" So my instruction took place in a Seat Leon... Despite this, I got a great idea of the best lines (and there are some places where a small change in line can make a massive difference).
After instruction, I went out and started to gain speed and confidence - and as the conditions improved, I got quicker.
The rest of the day was spent learning the track some more and eventually, I got to overtake some cars in my own right.
A great day at a great circuit. Once the weather improved, I really enjoyed it.
Snetterton Slippery Sprint...
Our final Sprint took place on Saturday 25th May at Snetterton. I'd missed the test day the day before as I'd had a track day here earlier in the year.
A comfortable night in Blue Bell Barn B&B meant I felt comfortable arriving at the circuit in the morning - we'd even left the car and trailer there the night before so we were pretty much ready to go.
An oddity about the event here was that there were races planned for part of the program - we had to do our practice runs squeezed in among the race qualifying. As a result of this mixture, the organisation left a little to be desired... Cars were run out of order with really long waits in between. Ultimately, we got two runs with about 30 mins between each trip - and we couldn't get out of the cars...
When I arrived at the Esses, I tried to get through quickly - it was effectively a practice run. Sadly, I found the limits of adhesion were somewhat lower than I had planned and I was off again. Rachel Horgan managed to catch me mid-spin for your viewing pleasure...
A comfortable night in Blue Bell Barn B&B meant I felt comfortable arriving at the circuit in the morning - we'd even left the car and trailer there the night before so we were pretty much ready to go.
An oddity about the event here was that there were races planned for part of the program - we had to do our practice runs squeezed in among the race qualifying. As a result of this mixture, the organisation left a little to be desired... Cars were run out of order with really long waits in between. Ultimately, we got two runs with about 30 mins between each trip - and we couldn't get out of the cars...
Sadly, the afternoon (and the official timed runs) were a complete wash-out... Rain began just as we were about to head out and didn't let up for all the time we were in the cars - three runs taking about an hour. I can confirm it's not much fun sitting in an open top car in the pouring rain.
When I eventually set off, I immediately got distracted - a piece of tape I'd put across the top of the windscreen flew off and started flapping in my face. I tried to put it out of my mind and made it successfully round the first corner.
As the second corner approached, I chose an early braking point but had completely forgotten the advice I'd received to keep off the normal racing line in the wet. The tyres locked and despite my best attempts to keep it pointing the right way, the car spun off the outside of the corner. I had stalled and got the car re-started but as I set off along the straight (expecting to see red flags and not getting any) I realised my time was irrelevant as I'd had all four wheels off the circuit.
When I arrived at the Esses, I tried to get through quickly - it was effectively a practice run. Sadly, I found the limits of adhesion were somewhat lower than I had planned and I was off again. Rachel Horgan managed to catch me mid-spin for your viewing pleasure...
On returning to the pits, I found my car covered and full of mud - but I still had two runs to take...
My second timed run was just an opportunity to get round the circuit. It wasn't remotely competitive but at least I had a time. In the end, I ended up 13th. A disappointing day - but a massive learning experience.
Rick Wilson should be thanked for the top set of pics - Rach can be scowled at for getting the picture of me spinning. A link to her website can be found here and is well worth a look.
Another note on the day was that our friends Claire and Ian (as well as my Mum and Dad) joined myself and my ever-present wife. In suffering the wet for my cause, I thank all of them. For continuing to put up with the grumpy bloke in the driving seat, everyone should know I love my wife very much...!
Proof from this picture taken by my Dad...
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