Lots of action with 944's racing at Mallory on 29th (see 944 forum) -- over at Castle Coombe, we had two x 20 minute races. No stories of race winning skill, here is how it unfolded.
SOMETIMES HOPES DON'T GET REALISED
Arrived at a sunny and windy Castle Coombe with hopes that my results would be along the lines of my recent Oulton races.
As it happened the positives are that I found about 1.5 seconds compared to 2009, the car is running well, I finished both races and stayed clear of any of the minor body damage or gremlins that affected others.
The downside is that I finished quali and both races 9th in Class. So very little to show for a weekends racing, onto Silverstone of Fri/Sat 1st & 2nd Oct for the final round, a triple header.
Quali was easily won by Marcus Carniel, I had new rear tyres and with only 15 minutes to scrub them in and post some times it all went quickly . Did get very close to a 1m 18, so was pleased but then found that rather too many people were ahead of me.
Race1, I got off to a slow start and I was over cautious through the first bend called Quarry and lost more spaces and then had Class 2 cars all round me like a rash. Same place on the second lap and Lambert up front was a spinner, then Bates got a tap from Bennet just in front of me, lots of tyre smoke and spinning with Bates ending up hitting Lambert who was parked up in the tyres. Got through and set to work to get past the Class 2 cars of Bennet and Dyer, they were having a great time all over the place whilst I hovered waiting for my chance. It came a few laps later when Bennet had 4 wheels off on the exit of one corner, looked like he was going to hit the tyres as I went past BUT then he somehow collected it and came back like a rocket onto the tarmac -- he was going to hit me, so I took avoiding action to the infield which is flat grass. Went agricultural for about 200m including a massive slide with opposite lock, collected it all up and got on the tarmac to be 100m behind Bennet & Dyer. Car felt OK, but I drove like a complete plonker for the next couple of laps, made no progress and that was how it finished 9th in class but with two Class 2 cars ahead of me, so 11th overall.
Race 2. Lot less drama in this race, a better start and held position behind Masarati. Got away from the Class 2 cars as well so was 9th in a quite close train of cars behind Carniel the eventual winner. Got very tight behind Masarati & Ellis for the last 6 laps but we were evenly paced and no opportunities presented themselves. We crossed within 3 tenths of each other, so quite thrilling but the wrong result for me pointswise.
I live to fight another day .................................
], I think the potential advantages are huge. I know I talked about it a lot in the past but its something I have avoided due to the cost. I do have my video camera though but no mount as yet.
