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Brands Hatch May BH first ever proper race

grover

grover

New member
New to ownership and having prepped the car now over four events I have my first ever race in it at Brands in a couple of weeks.

A daunting experience to be honest for me and one many of you have taken a long while ago I am sure.

Its a CSSC event on the Indy circuit which I tried for the first time a few weeks ago.

Still organising the graphics so all a bit last minute.

I am still getting used to the car and its looking great and running well so won't be expecting any pre than a finish initially just need to balance that against the red mist feeling.

Who has done this before in the same car on this forum?

D

 
Hi,I race a 968 in the PCGB championship currently,but I did a full season in 2010 with CSCC in a 944turbo(Future Classics),40 mins is a good amount of time to be at race speed, and my input would be to plan your pit stop,if you are getting held up maybe come in but if you are in clear air stay out as long as you can,also a practise or several of how you get in an get out quick with belts etc,maybe a HANs device etc ,I had two people help me either side of the car.You can win or lose a race in the driver change/stop.I had a clock in my car in the CSCC races as it is easy to lose track of time.
CSCC races are usually quite gentlemanly so enjoy yourself and best of luck.[:)]
 
Grover

I am the co-ordinator for the Modern Classics series but unfortunately I dont think I am going to be at the BH race as I have to work the weekend to meet a clients bid deadlines.

Nevertheless someone will be there to help look after the series.

Its a friendly club, and fellow competitors will offer advice and help if you ask. Steve Atkinson is running a 968 in the series so it may be a good idea to seek him out, park next to him in the paddock if you can (it will be a very busy paddock). Don't be afraid to ask for help with the pit stop, if you need it. Someone will lend a hand, even the helpers from other competitors if you ask them in advance.

After registration, it might be a good idea to have a word with Hugo Holder (the club Competition Director) and Dave Smitheram (his number 2) to let them know that you are new to this racing lark and see if they can offer advice or get others to help you out.

I really hope that you enjoy yourself but don't get over excited on the first lap at Paddock Hill bend!!!! 40 mins is actually quite a long time for a club race and there's plenty of time for a 968 to get near the sharp end.

Enjoy. If you need any help or advice in the mean time, then please let me know.

Andy
 
23 cars entered for Brands on Bank Holiday Mon 6 May as we stand today. Not bad at all with 2 weeks to go. Room for a few more but still a very encouraging number.
 
........... and little ole me in that CSCC race as well, out in a Mk2 Golf with my mate Terry Flatt! David I'll wave when you go past!
 
Thanks guys for the words of support.

Dropped by to see the car today at Race Solutions who will be running and supporting on the day.

My graphics pack goes to print this week too, so getting very excited.

New tyres on order and final work being done which is the battery box then we are good to go.

D
 

ORIGINAL: grover

New to ownership and having prepped the car now over four events
Click to expand...

That is the key thing. Biggest mistake I made was diving straight into racing in a car which wasn't quite right and a driver (me) who wasn't quite right with it either. I literally drove it for the first time a week or two prior to its first race, managed OK lap times in testing but its only now 3 years later I realise how massively off I was in some areas. This then led unfortunately to a cycle of costs and mishaps which I have maybe only just got over. Would have been different if I could have just chucked much more money at it but given that I was never in that position the approach I followed was in hindsight folly.

Best advice I ever heard for someone who wants to go racing is buy a good race car and drive it and learn on track and test days at one circuit until one has that circuit licked and has a competitive pace. Then move on to the next track etc. etc. This would have worked perfectly for me in hindsight as I have a very analytical mind but for most the dive straight in and hope approach is more typical.

You seem to have taken a fairly sensible approach IMHO, very important to be comfortable in the car and your driving of it.
 
Thanks for the words of support

Decals go on the car next week and then it will at least look the part and on such a small track at Brands there will be plenty of chance to see it too for my little group of supporters who plan to be there too.

Last minute set of new tyres to get and a couple of minor points to sort and we are all ready.

I have only driven this car in the wet, on four tracks this year , so a dry day is going to be a shock if it happens!

D
 
I promised myself that I wouldn't race a circuit that I hadn't had tuition on. I did actually break that rule at Rockingham last month when a drive became available at the very last minute, but at least I had done a track day there in November last year.

Chris #88
 
Well first race been and gone....

I attended the CSSC Modern Classics yesterday in glorious weather, what a well attended and great event, I shall certainly be back.

So with great fear and trepidation it quickly turned into much fun, what a well mannered bunch of people, clearly racing but in a non contact form which having just got the car sorted suited me fine.

From a lowly back of the grid post quali, I managed to finish P19 out of 27 cars so not unhappy with that, I was lapping consistently at just over a minute but that was off the pace to the leaders who were mid to high 50s running M3s.

It was my second time only at the track and last time was in the rain so all quite different this time, but the car went well though, looked great in its new livery and I live to have another go in a few weeks time.

Why didn't I take this up years ago?

D
 
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