Christened

15/07/2012

(If you watched the video first, then yes I'm fine)

Yesterday was the first of the "proper" races in the Academy calendar. I think it's fair to say that my 7 is now well and truly christened as a race car.

As you can see from the video, the race started very well for me. Qualifying had been first thing in the morning after overnight rain, so the track was very wet. I found that very difficult; we had been warned that if we didn't complete 3 qualifying laps then we couldn't race, so I was very keen not to come off in those first laps and as a result was very conservative. That meant I didn't really find out where the grip was during those laps, and although I tried to up the pace for the remaining 2 or 3 laps I never really found it. Something to learn from that, I think.

So I started near the back - 21st on a grid of 26. I did think, though, that the best time to make up a few places would be at the start while we were all bunched together rather than having to pick people off one by one. I also reckoned that as this was the first race, people would be quite timid off the line and give me a good chance. On top of all that, we were told that the starting lights would be red until the race started, at which point they would just go out - there would be no green light to say "go", just an absence of a red light. That is fairly non-intuitive and I thought some people might blink before launching forwards.

That strategy worked - I nailed it the moment the red light went out and was, fortuitously, starting from a grid position that was right on the outside edge of the track so had clear tarmac in front of me. That gave me at least 6 places immediately (although it felt like more at the time). I almost picked up one more at Redgate, but Dave managed to fend me off on the approach to Hollywood. We then started a procession through Craner, Old Hairpin, MacLeans and Coppice; if you noticed in the video that my lines are not perfect then that's because I was on the defensive a few times (that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!).

Flying down Starkey's straight was good, until I saw a commotion at the Esses and a teeny yellow flag off to the right. I hit the brakes, looked harder, and saw Tristan sitting on the racing line, stationary, facing the wrong way. Never mind, having braked for the yellow I can now turn in earlier, miss the apex and go past him on the left.

That plan did make one fairly major assumption, however - that everyone behind me would have slowed for the yellow, too, and would not try and overtake me. Sadly that assumption turned out to be incorrect, and just before I passed Tristan I was side-swiped from my left by the white car you see in the video. That pushed me just perfectly into line with Tristan, with one inevitable result.

That took four cars out of the race immediately. One had spun at the same time as Tristan but ended in the gravel and was undamaged. Tristan suffered front end damage, the white car suffered rear side damage where he hit me, and I suffered both. It stings that I was the only one who did nothing wrong yet I have the worst damage, but that's racing. If you can't afford to mend it, don't race it.

I should put in a word for the marshalls; they were superb and took immediate control of the situation with good prioritisation and clear instructions as to what they wanted us to do. Full marks to them.

I'd also like to give credit to Tristan, whose first actions once we were safely off the circuit was to stride over and shake my hand, to show there were no hard feelings despite the fact that my car had just trashed his.

We were then able to watch the rest of the race from a trackside viewpoint right by the Esses. A good view, but not what we wanted. Then a gentle tow back to the paddock.

That just left the small matter of getting home; I started looking for train times while wondering how I was going to carry my racing kit, my toolbox, a can of petrol and so on, but was cut short by several offers of a lift. Alex Gurr (the day's winner of our group) made a very kind offer involving his trailer which would have let me get (what was left of) my car home, and I would have taken him up on that had there not been one part of the repair that needed a spot of welding and was hence beyond my skills. Rachel Horgan also offered me a straightforward lift home, which I gratefully accepted. Rachel is the official photographer for the Academy (and other) events and understands what is involved after helping her husband through the Academy a few years back. I've linked to both of them, go and read Alex's blog and buy some photos from Rachel. Thanks Rachel, thanks Alex.

So, what have I learnt? First, don't hang around in qualifying, it is shorter than you think. Get on with it.

Second, and this is the big one, use a HANS device. Obviously I have no idea what would have happened had I not been wearing one, but what I do know is that it was quite a bump when I went head-on into Tristan and yet I have not the slightest twinge from my neck or shoulders. I've had lesser bumps on the road before now and been left with an aching neck. I'm pretty confident that my HANS was worth every penny.

Third, relax about your racing car. I'll admit I was pretty annoyed when I first got out, but I've calmed since then and am now quite sanguine about the car. I'm disappointed that I missed most of the race, but the car will mend. These things happen to racing cars, and it is pointless to think "I'll look after mine, it won't get damaged". All you will do is lose races through being too timid, and you'll still get damaged because there are 25 other drivers out there who are not looking after your car.

Now I just have to wait for the estimate from Caterham... hopefully I'll still be as sanguine after that!

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Comments

17/07/2012 22:20:09: Cheesy

I have to say, I have watched the vids uploaded so far and it does make you realise that this is a series for beginners and there are going to be those that are, relatively speaking, out of control. (Whether that be emotions or in a literal sense). It's a real shame that there have to be innocent victims, but I guess that has always been a part of racing. I have no idea whether it counts for anything but I feel for you and wish you the best for Brands (I should be there to cheer along..)

15/07/2012 21:17:21: Albert

Christened or chastened? Seriously, sorry to hear about the crash. Glad you are okay.