July 15th & 16th Cadwell Park - Double Header


Hot, Hot, Hot, managed to get my forehead burnt......
Travelled up on the Friday teatime using my new Brian James trailer, the old one is for sale on eBay at the moment. - I needed a bigger one to fit the VX on for next year.
Made good time and got a space on the end of the row nearest the entry to scrutineering and assembly area... would prove useful later...

Passed scrutineering OK, despite not being able to start the damn thing - doesn't like standing on wet grass overnight. - thanks to scruit and Mark's mechanic for giving me a push....

Qualifying:
Went down in good time for qualifying and then sat around in assembly area for 20 mins with the engine running - wasn't sure if it would restart, had already cooked the engine before we started - over 130°C oil temp... ouch... cooled down a bit once we got going.

Managed to get a 2.02 - not the goal of under 2.00 that I wanted. Went back to the paddock reasonably happy and spent the rest of the day sitting around getting burnt... fiddled with tyre pressures and front suspension settings.

Race 1:
Lined up at my usual place on the back of the grid and noticed John Hammersley behind me, that usually happens about 10 seconds before he laps me... well this was going to be interesting, a super Tourer behind hoped he would be past me before the first corner...
Didn't have the best rolling start - was paying way to much attention to John behind and Simon and Mark both got the jump on me as the lights went out.
Went around reasonable speed at the back as was very surprised to see that John didn't pass me, noticed the other super Tourer ditched half way round the first lap....
After about 5 laps I caught up Mark who was running slowly, he saw me and put his foot down, spent the next 5 laps trying my hardest to pass him - he too good at defensive... managed to finish 7th, 2 seconds behind Mark and with a best lap time of 1.57...
Found out from Mark that he was having over-heating problems - join the club, 165°C on the gauge... and John had done his clutch.

Race 2
Went out for rolling lap determined not to get caught napping this time, and the buggers (Simon & Mark) did it to me again - they both scampered off up the hill - memo to self - get more BHP...
Went round a little smoother this time, until I got to the start of the mountain on about the 8th lap - got all out of shape and all I could hear over the squealing tyres was the people in the stands going wild. Managed to out brake myself on the hill on the way in and nearly went up the exit road. Loads of tank slapping involved...
Overall a slower race as i think everyone found out, it was a bit hot out there and tyres went off pretty quickly. Managed to take the hill after start finish straight flat in 5th without lifting - so I must have been going slower than last race. another note to myself - adjust peddle stop to allow more throttle, and sort out temp problems - suspect oil pump may need cleaning and check out water pump.

All in all a good double header - more cars for next one please - I need someone to chase.... and remember to bring sun block.


Tweet




<home>
Last Updated: 07/19/2006 11:24 AM