Well the Blog is late and I apologise, I am sure everyone who reads these are waiting with bated breath,!!!!
So after a reasonably successful Croft event, no trophy but felt the car was working and I was starting to race (about time!!!), the next track time was going to be Silverstone, 11 weeks later, as we couldn’t make the Mondello trip due to work commitments. A few things done on the brakes as the rears kept giving me issues at Croft. Turns out it was a bad (new) master cylinder.
So we set off for a nice little drive down to the home of British Motor Racing (personally I would say Brands but what do I know). A new helmet had been purchased and after multiple attempts by JJC to deliver a dark visor we decided to pick one up from Merlin Motorsport instead. So a trip to Caste Combe it was and they were as helpful as ever. Big up for them.
We arrived at Silverstone to meet up with Francis and after the 30 mins drive from the main gate to the Wing Paddock we bagged a spot in the garage, unloaded and then watched the practice sessions. I had never been to Silverstone before and it was another track that would be a learning curve for me.
Qualifying went ok, I got 25th out of 31 and no issues with the car which is a bonus so we were ready for Race 1.
Race 1
There I was sitting in assembly minding my own business when suddenly two faces appeared asking if they could put ‘this’ on my car. I politely said ‘yes not a problem feel free’. Little did I know that it was a TV camera? Why pick me? Were they filming the sequel of ‘Driving Miss Daisy’? We went off to grid up and did the usual routine of waiting for the boards to go up and the lights to come on. Lights went out and we were off, by the first corner I made up 5 places and was behind Neil Aldridge. All was going well until arriving at Becketts corner leading on to Hangar Straight, Neil moved across (he didn’t see me) and that put me onto the grass, I had a little moment, caught it and then cracked on with the race with a bit of anger and fire in my belly now I had lost all my places I gained at the start.
So the race continued and I reeled in the people in front and started to pass some people. Then the red mist started to really appear when coming into Becketts corner Alex Jones came across me and with his engine smoking and oil pouring over me I got a little bit angry and started waving at the marshals for about a lap. Ok so not my finest hour but I am sure the TV Camera footage will be a laugh if they use the footage (Motorsport TV – Thursday 20th Sept, 16:30 and Tuesday 25th Sept, 05:30) but you can see my video on our TJT Racing channel. After a little while I stopped flapping my arms and concentrated on the race which saw me have a long long long battle with Richard Waddingham for 3rd in B Class. I lost count the amount of times we changed places but I started to hear rattling noises and I started to take it a little easier but I finished 4th in class right behind Richard. I was happy with the result but so close to a trophy!!!!
So back in the garage we tweaked the tappets and found a missing nut on the exhaust which was the rattling noise I heard. So all fixed for Race 2 and then it was time for the annual Vee BBQ. Great food was cooked (thanks chef’s!) and a good time had by all.
Race 2
So we got called to assembly early and then sat for 45 mins in assembly which as you know is not that comfortable in a single seater. Finally we headed to the track and the race was to begin. Rain! Well drizzle but was it going to get heavier? The lights went out and we were off. A solid start and I quickly settled into the race. All felt ok apart from when getting onto the straights my clutch started to slip so I was not getting full power meaning I got passed on the straights but I had people on the corners. I was having a nice battle with Francis, Neil and Jason Chatten with a few changes in position. I was really enjoying the racing and was pipped by Jason at the line and again finished 4th in class!! With a slipping clutch I was happy with the result.
Overall a really good weekend and I came away with a list of jobs to do before Donington and a craving for that trophy.