This blog gives me the opportunity to put racing-related news, stories and comments on-line but separate from my Build Blog. The 2010 Pistonheads.com Caterham Academy is a race series for novices. In 2011, I'll be competing in the Avon Tyres Caterham Roadsport-B Championship. You can find out more via my website www.racing13.co.uk
Norfolk over a Bank Holiday weekend should be relaxing but for those of us in the Caterham Roadsport-B Championship, it would be the location of a few days worth of track-time. Snetterton was the location for the weekend's fun and testing on Friday, 22nd April was the start.
We had been split into several groups and the four sessions in the day would see us get used to the new layout called Snetterton 300. Last time we were here, I had to retire from third place with one lap to go when my throttle jammed open...
Sadly, my early time at the circuit was not proving positive. The new layout was taking a lot of time to get used to and the car felt awkward around me. I couldn't pick my line, I couldn't fell comfortable on the brakes and I couldn't get traction from the corners. I couldn't put my finger on what the problem might be. I just wasn't very quick - I struggled to get past cars I would normally be much quicker than and when I did get by, I'd struggle to pull away.
I tried all sorts - tyre pressures, different lines etc but still nothing.
The third session came and I felt slightly more comfortable. I'd noticed the tyre pressures were coming in quite low so with the air in the rubber adjusted, I set out. A dice with a Ginetta racecar gave me some confidence but as I took the new, sharp, left in the new section of the circuit, the car mis-fired... It had never done that before and is often associated with low fuel. I had topped the tank before heading out so this wasn't the problem. Even worse, at the next right-hander ('Oggies'), the car cut out and slowed suddenly - the Ginetta nearly running into me. I put my foot on the clutch and coasted to a stop by a gap in the barriers. Despite my efforts to get the car running again, I was out and had to be towed back at the end of the session.
After a great deal of checking, fiddling and checking again, one of the race-team owners traced the problem to the Crankshaft sensor. It's a small, plastic component that had been broken against the flywheel after it's mounting bracket had come loose. Again a technical issue had brought my day to an end.
A quick note to say the next day, I was able to find a replacement part, 'botch' the bracket together and get the car started again.
Finally, after a winter of waiting for this weekend, we get to start racing again. Silverstone welcomed some of the Caterham Motorsport ladder to its longest circuit configuration for a packed day of racing on the 27th March. Us in Roadsport-B joined Roadsport-A and Supersports to race around the same circuit used by Formula One and Moto GP. The long layout was a worry in advance of this event for two reasons: none of us had raced here before and the long, wide straights meant we'd spend our time slipstreaming each other. This would result in high speeds and close driving but would also result in several cars across the circuit all trying to make their way into each corner on a different line...
Because of the busy weekend schedule at Silverstone, we had to have Qualifying and two races in a day - at many events this year, the schedule is over two days.
Having set up in one of the garages with several other Roadsport -B competitors, Qualifying came about quite quickly. I had the car well prepped by my family who came along to support and as I trundled out towards the circuit, I found myself in amongst some cars I hadn't driven near before. This is because the two Academy groups from 2010 are mixed together. I didn't know how some of these cars were going to be driven so I was a little nervous.
The conditions were excellent and I soon found the car warming up on the track. The problem with the circuit soon became apparent... Cars were following each other along the straights and having to pass in order to make progress, the problem is that the next straight would result in the passed car being faster in the slipstream and coming past.
I spent a frustrating 20 minutes trying to find some space but never getting a clear lap with a decent tow for myself.
However, at the end of the session, I found I'd taken the 4th quickest time which put me on the second row on the grid. I was really pleased with this as it meant I had an opportunity to stay with the leaders at the start.
The first race came along in no time and I was soon lining up on my grid position. Sitting there, I get quite nervous and my heart-rate builds. As the lights come on, I can hear other cars revving up and I question if I'm doing the right thing by not revving quite as much. As the lights go off, and I make my start, I move away in a similar way to everyone else. Round the first corner and I've dropped one position - not too worrying but I must stay with the lead group.
A few corners later and it's clear this is going to be hectic. The lead has changed many times in the first lap alone and with a two and half minute lap, we won't get many during our 20 minute lap. Silverstone is a long circuit and the lead changes with almost every corner. I get myself up to third during the first lap but the lead group consists of about six or seven cars and everyone is jostling all the way round.
It stays like this for 15 minutes and just after the '5 minute' board comes out, I make a move for forth position in Becketts corner. As I exit, I press the accelerator and the car slides - then spins... Cars stream past me but I move away as soon as I can. It feels like I'm in last place but I see cars behind me so concentrate on making some progress (I late find I'd dropped to 16th). I have a lap and a half to restore some of the damage I'd done after my mistake and I press on, passing two cars down the last straight before the end of the lap.
I finish in 12th place.
The second race will have me starting from 12th on the grid so I realise I need to make progress quickly and cleanly to have any chance of getting a decent result. At the start, I pass a car or two and another couple along Hanger straight. Halfway round the first lap, and I'm up to 6th.
The battle in the lead group resumes in the same way as race one but this time I decide that I really want to finish without a mistake so I take it a bit easier - I battle with several cars but by the end I finish in a very satisfying 8th position.
I wish I could have done more to capitalise on my good grid position after qualifying but over the two races, I'm pleased with the day. It was amazingly good fun (albeit intense) and I can't wait for Snetterton at Easter.
All pictures come from Rachel Horgan - I look forward to seeing them through the year.
I was joined during the day by Get Embroidered who continue to offer me a huge amount of support and do an excellent job in producing my racewear.
Thanks to my wife and my family for their help, love and support.
Silverstone welcomes the first races of the year but as a result of Britcar dictating the schedule for the weekend, we have to test on Friday, 25th March despite our races taking place on the Sunday. We used the full Arena GP circuit - the same used by Formula One and Moto GP. This means long straights and fast corners.
Early on a Friday morning, I arrived at the circuit and set up with some of the others I'd raced with in 2010. The day is sessioned which means we get 30 minutes track-time before letting another group run for 60 minutes. Once we'd signed in, I made my way to the paddock and met up with Wes Fox. Last year's Academy Champion (one of them!) had been round the circuit before so I used a bit of time behind him to learn where it all went! It soon became clear that the long straights would result in good opportunities to slipstream other cars - something that had become obvious we could do in 2010.
Soon into the first session, it was clear that bravery was needed to get the most from the car and circuit. Some corners are flat-out in 5th gear (a gear I never used while racing in 2010). At speeds of about 120mph while driving close to other cars, you need to be confident (but not too much), observant (very) and trusting of other drivers.
We were allocated just four sessions in the day and these came and went quite quickly. It was interesting to drive alongside other cars (especially James Needham) and see the relative speeds. The start of the racing can't come soon enough!
I'd tried to do a track-day at Bedford Autodrome in December 2010, but what with snow, frost and fog, it was cancelled. Bedford Autodrome is operated by Motorsport Vision and concentrates on Corporate days and track-days. They don't use the circuit for races. EVO magazine use a section of the circuit for car testing.
On the 26th February, I had another chance but when I arrived at the circuit, the clouds and damp seemed to be suggesting I might have to be careful through the day.
And so it proved. As we headed out for our familiarisation laps (compulsory at most track-days to see where the marshalls are and where the corners go!), the rain came. And came...
It was soon apparent that it was getting really wet. In fact on my first venture on the circuit, I spun at the first corner - some were so difficult, it was like being on ice. I took some tuition in the morning which really helped and as I got to know the circuit, my confidence rose.
Perhaps this was the best time for Simon and some of his family & friends to come and see me. Simon looks after Get Embroidered who have supplied the excellent teamwear I wear at circuits. Simon's support has been really appreciated.
As the track began to dry, I took Simon and his troupe on a few laps each to give them a feel of what it's like in the car. I'm told they really enjoyed it (though Simon couldn't do more than one lap for fear of being ill!!).
With just 30-40 minutes of the day left, the track was completely dry and I was able to push the car in it's Roadsport-B set-up.
Thanks to Ian 'DOPE' Davies for his help in the day. I really can't wait for the season to begin.
Another MSV circuit exposes me to Jonathan Palmer's restriction over video viewing so I'll avoid any chance of a £25,000 fine and complain about not being able to show you instead...
On the 12th February, myself and my wife had a track-day at Oulton Park in Cheshire. I've been to watch racing at Oulton many times but this was the first time I'd been round the circuit.
A trip up and overnight stay behind us, we arrive at a damp circuit and I was hoping to get some good, dry running in the car in it's newly installed Roadsport-B specification.
It became clear early on that the day wasn't going to be smooth... The morning saw me get just a handful of laps out of the car. Several Red flags because of people spinning in the damp conditions restricted the amount of time I could have on the circuit. In fact, at one point I made my way back on the circuit after one Red flag and had two cars spin in front of me on the out-lap...
After lunch, I had some tuition and the conditions improved. Oulton is an excellent circuit and I'm really looking forward to racing there later in the year. I got many laps in and loved the new settings on the car. It felt so much quicker with more stability because of the new tyres.
Claire was brilliant (as normal) and made the day run seamlessly.
I have some videos of my day but as this is a Motorsport Vision circuit, and their draconian rules regarding use of video footage, I can't share any of it with you...
