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Rounds 9 & 10: Brands Hatch

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 22:32:18 +0100

My report:
Brands Hatch on an August Bank Holiday weekend - no better place to be (at least that's what I told the wife!) Unfortunately (unsurprisingly?!) she didn't agree - but fortunately Muzz and the rest of the Muzz race boys did and were there in number to support my efforts, and those of team mate Matt Clarke. They certainly witnessed one of my more bizarre race weekends - and one that reversed the trend of good start, unfortunate end. This time I went home with a broad smile on my face and the team had some reward for their 3 days of hard work!
Qualifying & Race - Day 1
This race date fell at the end of our family holiday - fortunately we came back on the Saturday and the 2-day 'Bank Holiday' event didn't start until Sunday. However it did mean I couldn't make testing and so arrived at the track 'cold'. And that was not my only excuse - it had been a long drive back from Devon. Nevertheless I do know this Kent track pretty well and enjoyed a win in the 2006 event. Unfortunately I couldn't repeat this standard in first qualifying and ended up well down the field - 7th in class and nearly last overall.
As we lined up for the start or Race One it looked an awful long way to the first corner at Paddock Hill. However proof that I've got this start thing sorted was that I was passed 3 cars before the first bend and was on the tail of the lead group as we came out of the second corner. However I lost time as I was pushed wide by a carbon car overtaking me and fell further back when another carbon car exited the pit lane just as I was coming up the entry of Paddock Hill bend on lap 2. This allowed Fraser Smart to latch onto my gearbox and I knew I had to up the pace. Unfortunately I started to overdrive and got very ragged coming out of Druids on lap 3. This carried on into Graham Hill bend and I ran onto the kerb at the exit of the corner. As I tried to get back on the black stuff the rear end pitched round and I spun, only coming to rest after having brushed the armco. End of race 1!
Fortunately the damage was really only superficial. The main problem was that one of the mounts that keeps the engine attached to the chassis had fractured. Fortunately I am with the most resourceful team in the paddock and they had a spare sump - the part of the engine that was broken - and challenged themselves to have the engine out before the race was finished... and they made it! This fantastic effort was carried through until they'd finished the job by mid-evening. By that time I was sitting comfortably at home and was most relieved to get a call from Stef telling me all was sorted and I should turn up for Monday's racing.
Qualifying & Race - Day 2
A good night's rest helped my second qualification as I ended up clocking the 5th best time in class, nearly a second quicker than the day before and less than 0.2s behind the 3rd position driver, Heff.
However as we went out for the race I feared my weekend's results were about to get even worse - the clutch was slipping badly. This wasn't too much of a problem at speed but getting started was a different issue! As the lights went green I somehow managed to coax my car off the line - there was plenty of smoke and that horrible clutch smell but I was going... and not too far behind the pack. But after only a couple of laps the red flags came out as someone had spun and the race was stopped. Not good news as this meant another standing start.
As we sat on the grid Stef came over and gave me some tips on how to get going without completely destroying the clutch... this turned out to be great advice as I managed to get away again. After several laps I was challenging for midfield places. But just as I got round a slowing Iain Morton I seemed to loose al drive. Fearing that my clutch had cried enough I drove into the pit lane - but then the engine fired up again and I was nearly at pit exit when, to my horror, the red flags came out again. The marshal stopped me from rejoining. At this point Stef sprung into action once more and agreed with the marshals that I could start from further up the pit lane so the team could give me a push start.
When the race eventually re-started I had to wait until they had all filed through into the first corner before I was allowed to make my rather tame getaway. I realised that I needed to finish to pick up some Championship points so I had to drive with my head, unlike yesterday! With only 8 laps to the flag, time was limited on this short circuit but I managed to get at least one rival in my sights. With just two laps to go we both closed on another club competitor who obviously had mechanical problems. This was a fairly straightforward overtake but I was determined to gain a further place. Going into the last lap I still had some ground to make up but managed it with a couple of corners to spare. Amazingly this was enough to secure third place in class because a number of the other club drivers had retired! So even more Championship points and a podium place to boot!! A well received 'gift' that definitely put a smile on the faces of the Muzzrace team.
In conclusion...
What a great way to end the weekend and fantastic that we could give the team some reward for all their efforts over the long weekend. Cheers boys!!
Even the bank holiday traffic wasn't pretty much non-existent and I made it home in good time - clearly smiling all the way for a change!

Rounds 7 & 8: Snetterton

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 18:25:06 +0100

My report:
An eagerly anticipated weekend - the start of the second half of the season, another track I hadn't yet visited in a single seater and a part of the country I have always enjoyed visiting. Friday dawned bright, so the roof came down, tunes on and after a traffic-free drive all was good. Unfortunately the clouds had returned by Sunday afternoon and my mood had similarly darkened - but not enough to spoil what was another great weekend's racing.
Testing
Friday testing went well although it did take time to get used to some of the super-quick turns on this Norfolk track. It was great to have the data analysis working properly and car (& driver) behaviour was under further scrutiny from the newly installed on-board video system. However the greatest difference was made by putting on some new tyres for the afternoon sessions. At last I had some grip and immediately got down to reasonable times.
Qualifying 1
Saturday was warm and bright so no excuses. In qualifying within 'club' class Ian Pearson was in his normal position, comfortably heading the field - but the next 3 or 4 of us were pretty close. I was running in 2nd or 3rd for most of the session but some timing gremlins elevated one of my competitors and pushed me back to 4th in class.
Race 1
As we toured round to grid up for Race 1 we watched as Ian Pearson pulled over to the side with electrical problems and then noticed another club class competitor, Steve Durrant, similarly sidelined. As the lights went green I made my best start of the season - some of the slower 'carbon' cars tried to block my path but by the first corner I had taken top slot in class. Unfortunately I wasn't able to hold this for too long as Rob Tirone drafted past me at the end of the long Revitt straight. This wasn't to last for long as the red flags came and the race was stopped.
At the restart I made another good getaway although I had to make do for second this time, tucking in behind Rob. We started to pull clear of the rest of our class, helped by Bob Pearson's spin which backed up several cars. However we didn't enjoy this for very long as the red flags came once again.
Yet another good start but this time 'the Heff', James Hefferman, kept pace with Rob and me. In fact he eventually made it passed in a drag race out of the Russell Chicane. After the race I complained bitterly to my team of lack of power but they simply berated me for running over the curbs too aggressively and therefore getting a much sower exit!! Hmm… anyway, third it was and stayed that way until the line, despite several attempts to reclaim my place. I was pleased and relieved to get another podium finish especially after so many incidents and red flags and my pace augured well for the next day when we would do it all again.
Qualifying 2
Sunday started bright and dry again. Qualifying took on a fairly similar pattern although we had altered several settings on the car which took me a few laps to get fully comfortable with. However once I did it certainly helped me better the times I'd set the day before. However everyone was going a bit quicker too so the club class order remained as for the first race - I would line up 4th in class (23rd overall) on the grid.
Race 2
As the lights went green I again made good progress but it's a long way up the pit straight to the first corner at Snetterton - some of the inexperienced drivers in the carbon cars had clearly got more confident from all the start practice yesterday and didn't leave the same gaps. This preventing me from making up any places and I had to settle behind Heff' - he was struggling on cold tyres and backed us both up into the sights of Steve Durrant. I made a good exit from the chicane and tried to pass Heff' as we started lap 2 but ran out of road before getting by.
Half way round the lap one of the carbon cars had run wide and slowed Heff' down - this gave me a chance to close the gap but as I turned into the flat-out 'bomb-hole' kink I felt a heavy bang on my rear wheel. Durrant had made contact and pitched me into a violent spin. Unfortunately I only came to rest after backing into the tyre wall, further damaging the car and ensuring my race was over. It was all rather reminiscent of Croft when the same driver had made a very ambitious move at a part of the track where there really is only room for one car... well plenty of time to reflect on that during the drive home!
In conclusion...
As we were packing up to leave for the weekend the clouds returned and a torrential soaked us all but overall this didn't dampen the spirits from what had been another successful weekend. So thanks again to Muzz and the boys of Muzzrace for all the assistance they provided over the three days - working tirelessly to ensure we were all on track in fully functioning cars. Particular mention to Errol & Paul who did a great job with the data and video - giving us all something else to watch and providing Steff some hard evidence to provide some helpful driving tips! And of course some laughs at the spills... Thanks guys!

Rounds 5 & 6: Silverstone

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 21:33:08 +0100

My report:
Further success at the 'home' of British motorsport; bagged another podium in this two-race weekend and a brace looked on the cards until mechanical gremlins struck and pushed me down the order. Being my 'home' circuit too it was easily close enough to 'commute' to the circuit meaning no hospitality to enjoy or places to visit… so just a race to report on.
Actually there should have been a test day too but the great British summer put paid to that. We arrived on the Friday to find sections of the track already submerged under an inch or so of rain. With the forecast predicting no let up in the deluge the organisers had no choice but to cancel the day. So off home and wait for clearer skies over the weekend.
Qualifying
Fortunately Saturday was brighter and even quite warm. It was definitely dry and miraculously there was no evidence of the previous day's downpour on the circuit - at least not on the tarmac. The grass areas were probably doing a great impression of a bog - ready to claim any errant cars today!
There was a great turnout of club class cars; 11 in the field of 33. So plenty of opposition. But the format of this 'double-header' weekend was different most with just one qualification session. The fastest lap determined the grid for race 1 and our second best lap the line-up for race 2. I'm no great fan of the short 'National' layout at what is otherwise a fantastic venue. However I do know the circuit well and immediately posted some good times. At the end of the session my fastest lap was only bested by Marcus Clutton and we were both ahead of a number of the faster 'carbon' cars .
With no more track action planned for Saturday I was able to dash back home and spend some time with the family - a rarity on more normal race weekends. Also the team had to do little more than polish the squashed flies off the car and sit back and open a cold of lager or two (or 22... each??!!) At least I would be ready bright and early on Sunday morning for the main race day!
Racing
Once out on track for the first race of the day I made an OK start. But better was to come as I made up several places and maneuvered into a great position to take advantage of a spin by one of the lead 'carbon' cars at the second corner. This caused mayhem but I was able to go through pretty much untroubled. It turned out I'd made up about a dozen places to end the lap 11th overall and leading the Club class. Unsurprisingly the overall placing didn't last too long - the quicker carbon cars soon assumed their more natural position at the front of the field. Unfortunately the chasing pack also included our class front runner Ian Pearson - he'd had problems in qualifying and started behind me for a change. He managed to catch and pass me along the pit straight, although not before I'd missed a gear testing Ian's reactions. Luckily for both of us he avoided my gearbox. This left me to fend off the advances of Marcus Clutton.
It took several more laps for Marcus to close me down as our lap times were fairly close. However by mid distance he had closed sufficiently to find a way past - defending on the very wide Northants track is always difficult and he was able to take advantage when I was baulked out by one of the slower carbon cars out of a corner. Once past I never let Marcus far out of my sights however I reckon he got the best of the traffic as we went nip & tuck with some of the carbon cars. He was particularly assisted by some of the carbon boys over-slowing through yellow flag sections, meaning gaps needlessly increased. However I was pleased to pass the chequered flag still in 3rd place and gain a third podium of the season.
The start of race two was equally exciting, but unfortunately not as profitable as the first race. I ended up some way back from Marcus and behind several of the other club runners. However I soon made amends and was back up to my starting position. But once again Ian Pearson was on a charge and soon reeled us both in. I also found my mirrors full of the red car of James Hefferman who was waiting to capitalise on any mistake. Fortunately I kept my nose in front until I mysteriously lost power coming out of Beckett's mid-race. Soon after I seemed to be going backwards - there was nothing obvious at first but several cars went by me far too easily on the long club straight. With several laps to go I heard a noise that sounded ominous - so I came right off the power and coaster for a bit. I eased the clutch back in and it seemed OK so I kept going but at much reduced speed. After what seemed like the proverbial eternity I made it round to see the chequered flag, which I eventually made it past - but not before being relegated to last place by my team mate! The ignominy!! But at least I was a classified finisher and picked up some points toward the overall championship. Who knows, this might be the most important last place I've ever had (although not sure I've ever been last before....?!)
Back in the garage, Stef immediately diagnosed the fault as a problem with the fuel pump. With that information I left the track not only happy that I 'd bagged another podium but also that I wasn't facing a hefty repair bill. And the sun was shinning, the kids were still smiling and it was only a short drive home.

Thanks once more to Muzzrace for a great weekend. And thanks to my wife Jane for her support on race day - much appreciated!

Rounds 2 & 3: Croft

Sat, 19 May 2007 22:20:04 +0100

My report:
In summary a great weekend - the highlights certainly well outweighed the lows. Track success was allied with some great hospitality and a visit to a spectacular part of the country. The only real downside was an abrupt end to the second race of the ‘double-header’.
Testing / Qualifying
Mechanical gremlins and the weather did their best to disrupt Friday’s testing programme but this meant we had a fully functioning car for the double bout of qualifying sessions on Saturday. It also highlighted just how old my ‘wets’ were - the rubber was harder than that on Stef’s truck! Definitely time for a new set of boots especially as the forecast was for heavy showers over the weekend.
Surprisingly Saturday dawned without the predicted downpour - in fact the weather remained dry for both Saturday & Sunday. Probably something to do with the very strong wind that promised constantly to turn our team awning into a giant sail. I was happy about this because the limited running on Friday meant I was still learning the track - like Donington I had raced here before but only in heavier and slower equipment.
With the track at capacity it was not easy to find a clear lap in the first qualifying session. Well, that’s my excuse for the fairly lowly 5th placed grid slot! I exercised the grey matter a bit more in the second session and coupled with a better feel for the track found myself placed 3rd in class. So all to play for on Sunday.
Racing
My chances of a decent finish were given a helping hand on the warm-up lap as club-class competitor James Hefferman took a trip into the barriers as a result of over-aggressive weaving to heat his tyres up! As the lights went green I didn’t make the best of starts but soon clawed back lost places into and around the first couple of corners. Another pass on team mate JJ saw me up to 3rd - but the leading pair were just too far ahead for me to make any inroads. Even the best efforts of a slow starting ‘carbon’ car to hinder their progress didn’t give me sufficient chance to latch onto this duo. At least I didn’t loose significant ground to them and was only a few seconds adrift as the chequered flag came down. My second race of the year and a second podium - a great start to the season.
The second race wasn’t quite as successful. From third spot on the grid I actually made my first really decent start in a Formula Renault, gaining ground on both Club Class cars in front. The first lap was very promising as I was clearly much faster than second placed James ‘Heff’ who looked to be struggling to tame an ill-handling car. Several attempts to pass came to nothing then I made a dive at the hairpin - it was a drag race along the start/finish straight with nothing between us. He had the line for Clervaux so I braked early only to find my mirrors full of the 4th placed car. I kept a tight line but he tried to go round the outside - there just is not room for two cars round this corner and he nudged my side pod sending me into a spin. I came to rest in the gravel trap, race over. Minor damage to the car but major frustration at another potential podium gone. Oh well - there’s always next time! Now for the long journey home... plenty of time to contemplate that final corner incident!
Thanks to Stef & the Muzz Race team for again giving me a very strong car and all their hard work to get it ready and keep it in top condition for the weekend.
A special mention too for my new team mate Matthew Clark. Congratulations to him for a very creditable effort on his very first race weekend. Coming straight from karts to this series - a full grid of 140+mph ‘proper’ racing cars - is a brave move. (Wish I’d had the courage to do same all those years ago rather than ‘playing safe’ in my Renault tin-top!) Top marks to Matt for getting through the weekend unscathed physically (& I hope) mentally!
Social
First thanks to the Matuszaks for their Friday night hospitality. Stef for showing me several of the local hostelries, but not for too long! And ‘Mum’ Matuszak for providing a warm and comfortable bed for the night - & not complaining that I kept her son out too late or had to leave too early.
With the on-track action completed on Saturday it was time to prepare for the off-track entertainment. Stef’s busy crew desperately needed extra rations... the industrial capacity fridge was looking decidedly bare after a Friday night attack. So first task - replenish supplies. Then off to make a few social calls- some familiar faces from Porsche 924 racing days are now having fun in the Max 5 series including Keith Penman, Alyn Robson, Carl Powell and Alan Everitt. They have all fallen for the charms of the little roadster. Watching (and photographing) their race on Saturday I have to admit it certainly looked great fun; full grids and very competitive at reasonable cost. Maybe I’ll have to investigate if (when!) I get too old for single-seaters!
At last it was time to venture onto the North Yorkshire Moors in search of my new team mate John Johnsen’s (JJ) rural abode - after a fantastic drive thru the very scenic national park I arrived at his very picturesque cottage. The rest of the evening was spent sampling superb Italian wine and cheese, telling tales of old motorsport heroics and generally getting to know JJ and his fun-loving fiance Sabrina. Both were excellent hosts and after a tasty & healthy breakfast - a rarity on race weekends - JJ took the trouble to show me some of the stunning views and pretty villages that surround his home. Eventually it was time to leave ‘Heartbeat’ territory and head back to Croft.
We arrived with just enough time to spare before the first race. Stef and the boys had clearly had a good night - all was fairly quiet even at 10.30am! But nothing to worry about - they had the cars all ready to roll by midday.
Thanks especially to Stef and all at Muzz Race and to JJ & Sabrina. Also congratulations to my other new team mate - Matthew Clark.

Round 1: Donington Park

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 22:21:12 +0100

My report:
At last time for the new season to begin - an opportunity to get behind the wheel of my new car and enjoy the thrill of racing again. After a winter out of the cockpit and with none of the planned pre-season testing having taken place I didn’t feel as prepared as I’d hoped - so I was doubly delighted to walk away on Sunday afternoon clutching a trophy for P3!
Testing / Qualifying
I know Donington Park well - but not from the cockpit of a single-seater. Corner speeds, braking distances are very different in a much lighter car with much better grip. Lines of sight are also quite different when you are only a couple of inches off the track - corners where you once had a good view from a sports car are rendered ‘blind’ from such a low position.
It was great to get plenty of track time the day before racing. Generally everything went well. We ironed out the early issues so hopefully no more teething troubles for race day itself.
Sunday April 29th dawned cold but dry. Just time to catch up with some old rivals returning for the new season and meet several of the new faces come to do battle this year before heading out for the season’s inaugural qualifying session. The track was at capacity so it promised to be a busy session. Fortunately no major incidents to bring out the red flags and I managed to get some clear laps. I was reasonably satisfied with my performance and hoped for a good starting position. When the times were published I was thrilled to be 2nd fastest in Club Class - even ahead of the newer, faster ‘carbon’ cars.
Racing
Despite a very creditable qualifying performance, the fact that we had a full entry meant the club cars were well down the field - I actually lined up 23rd n the grid. This is a long way back - the biggest problem was getting a good view of the starting lights. When they finally went out I was completely unsighted. This hindered a decent getaway but I managed to make up almost all of the lost ground by out-braking most of my rivals into the first corner, Redgate. The only club class ahead were the father / son Pearson duo. Ian - Pearson junior - has been the class of out field for several years (he is actually back-to-back champion) so I didn’t expect to catch him. His father Bob was a different story. We’d had some great dices last year but I really felt I should be able to get that place back. I tried a couple of moves on the opening lap but couldn’t find a way past. I knew I had to get by soon or Ian would be long gone so I made a decisive move on lap 2 and was looking to make P2 my own. Unfortunately one of the new boys - ex-GT racer ... had other ideas. He was never far behind and was able to be a bit more committed than me through the craner curves than me. This allowed him to force a gap coming into the Old Hairpin at about one-third distance and past he went.
But once in front he didn’t get ahead by more than a couple of car lengths as I was certainly quicker in several sections of the track but then lost ground down the craners on most laps. As the 12-lap race was drawing to a close a mix-up with a back-marker under yellow flags saw Marcus eventually get some breathing space and I had to settle for third place.
With the chequered flag out I was extremely pleased to have finished on the podium and was relieved to get through the first weekend of the new season without major incidents and to be pretty much ‘on the pace’ from the get-go.
Thanks to Stef and all at Muzz Race for getting the car so well prepared and keeping it on the button over the weekend - great job guys.