Brands Hatch by Night and Day

It had been a while since I'd been in the car so when an opportunity to get to Brands Hatch for the evening presented itself, I took it.  Our next race was to be at the Kent circuit's Indy configuration and a Track evening the day before a test day was a good way to scrub in some new tyres.

The track evening on Thursday 9th June was an open pit-lane event and most of the other cars on track were Caterhams!

The next day, we had four 30-minute sessions through the day with other Roadsport cars.  Note our Championship has dropped the 'B' after Roadsport-A finished.

Some wet running gave me some hope that I'd be comfortable as the track became damp so I was pleased with my progress.  Sadly, I still had some time to find and was struggling with traction from the two most important corners (again!).

Snetterton 300 - Easter weekend of racing

Snetterton 300 is another of Jonathan Palmer's circuits so the facilities are excellent but with many restrictions.  I've regularly commented on my dismay at his attitude towards not allowing video footage to be posted on the internet.  Most circuits allow video footage to be posted as long as there's no commercial gain from them.  Jonathan Palmer doesn't allow it at all - or face a fine of £25,000.  Why he continues to restrict the likes of myself - someone who loves his racing and wants to share the experience with his family and friends - is a mystery.  I can't gain from these videos if all I want to do is show how much I'm enjoying myself.  An awful lot of money and effort goes into my racing - with a huge amount coming from family and friends - and I'd love to be able to show them what I'm doing.  With his ridiculous restrictions in place, I'm unable to do this and I hate the fact that I can't put them on here without risking a massive fine.

For all the criticism I level at him, he should be congratulated for the amount of money he continues to invest in his circuits.  Snetterton has been overhauled during the Winter and there is a new in-field section to the circuit and Coram has been extended to make it even more difficult.  Sadly, not all the improvements have been completed successfully and the edges of the circuit are very soft.  Most circuits have some extra firm ground alongside the race track in the most sensitive areas but not here.  A lot of cars suffered damaged wheels on the test day (my own problems during the test were unrelated) after they just went off the edge of the track.  In this regard, I'd suggest the circuit wasn't quite ready for us - despite telling us to remember the 'Blue Book' regulations regarding the edge of the track - as cars will always find themselves on the peripherals of a circuit.

Anyway...

We had a weekend of racing to get through and this being the Easter weekend, we'd been shifted to Sunday and Monday so the circuit could maximise it's opportunity to put races on.  Sunday offered us a 20 minute Practice (we'd never had one of these before), 20 minutes Qualifying and a 20 minute Race.  Monday would give us a 20 minute Race.

The practice was my first chance to check my repair on the crank-shaft sensor.  Thankfully, it held up fine for the weekend.  Sadly, I was still struggling with the car and circuit.  In the Practice session, the car was understeering and I still didn't think it was braking very well.  Back in the pits, I raised the back of the car slightly and took a look at the rear brake pads.  One of them was worn to the metal - all of the friction material had gone.  Suffice to say, these were changed, too...

Come qualifying, I took a chance and went out alone - hoping to get some assistance from other cars' slipstreams.  Sadly, I got caught behind some slower cars and couldn't make progress.  When I did get ahead, I didn't have anyone to help me...

The end of Qualifying had me sitting in 20th place.  I was 4th on the grid at Silverstone.  I wasn't happy... and worse was that I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong.

The race took place in the early evening with a low sun (I'm thankful for my new, tinted visor!).  I had a poor start and one of the (few) cars behind me came past.  While I was trying to work out how he'd managed to get away so well, I forgot there was a corner coming.  I got onto the slippy part of the corner and hit the grass.  Keeping my 'foot in', I got back on the circuit and aimed to make up for my poor starting position.  It was quite intense but over the course of the race, I made some progress and as I passed cars or they dropped out, I tried to get on the back of a group squabbling for the mid-field positions.  In the last lap, I made up several seconds and crossed the line just behind this group.  I'd finished 13th which considering my starting position, I was reasonably pleased with.

The second race of the weekend was just after midday on Monday.  Much warmer but with a keen breeze.  Our hosts from our B&B (Karen and Mark) as well as my Best Man and his wife (Mark and Kerry) came to offer some support so I was looking forward to the race.

At the start, I was similarly poor off the line and dropped a couple of places from 13th.  I ended up just behind Matt Rigby (from Pistonheads.com) and looked to get past him and make progress.  However, there were a lot of cars all trying to do the same thing.  The racing was brutal.  Cars were bashing into one another (in fact, I got hit in the rear at the second corner) and I ended up being stranded behind one such stricken car.  My only way out was to push the car next to me...  On another part of the circuit, I hit another car as we approached a corner, and frankly, I have no idea what happened to him!

In the melee, a car went off the circuit and the yellow flags came out.  Overtaking is prohibited under a yellow but Martin Pass came past me.  I expected him to relent but he didn't.  My frustration just rose another notch and I continued the race without making a great deal of progress.

In the end, I finished in 11th.  As I came into Parc Ferme (where cars go at the end of a race before being released by the scrutineers), I saw Martin Pass had finished quite well and I asked someone what happens if someone passes under a yellow.  Expecting to have to go to the Stewards, I approached Martin and told him what I thought had happened.  After a quick chat, I decided I wouldn't push the issue and drew a line under the incident...  In Martin's own words 'Karma caught up with him' as he was disqualified for his car being too low and my final result was 10th.

I had a frustrating but enjoyable weekend and I'm as thankful as ever for my parents being with me along with my older Brother, John.  I love the fact that Claire, my wife, continues to come (and put up with me being grumpy).  Sadly, 'The Other' Claire and Ian 'DOPE' couldn't make it because Ian was poorly but I'm grateful for their continued support.

Pictures have been taken by Rachel Horgan.

Testing at the new Snetterton 300 circuit

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.

Rachel Horgan once again with the pictures.

Straights, Slipstreams and Spins at Silverstone

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.

A testing day at Silverstone

The season is now on us...

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!

A blast at Bedford with 'Get Embroidered'

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...

Off to Oulton Park

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...