2013
20/10
Silverstone II
I started the first Silverstone race on the dry outside of the track - that gave me an immediate advantage that I certainly appreciated. I discovered for this race that I was starting from the far right of the track, a long way from the dry line and with wet, greasy tarmac underneath me.
And so the start could not be fiery, but I was pleased with it all the same. I caught up with Mel easily, but then had to choose - left or right? With a huge pack over to my left, I went for my usual preference of the outside of the track, but this time it was not to be. Mel moved over as we were level and with a little bump ("Nonononononononoooooo!" was the thought going through my mind!) I was on the grass and slipping back. One step forward, tw...
And so the start could not be fiery, but I was pleased with it all the same. I caught up with Mel easily, but then had to choose - left or right? With a huge pack over to my left, I went for my usual preference of the outside of the track, but this time it was not to be. Mel moved over as we were level and with a little bump ("Nonononononononoooooo!" was the thought going through my mind!) I was on the grass and slipping back. One step forward, tw...
2013
19/10
Silverstone
We began the race with a damp surface, but not actually raining. Qualifying had put me in a middle position on the grid, which is not my preference as I like to be on the outside to slip round people. However, it did put me on the right-hand side of the track, which is the racing line for those exiting the corner before. That had the distinct advantage of putting me on tarmac that had been dried by all the cars taking part in the previous races; the left-hand side of the track was visibly wetter and greasier. And the surface turned out to be my bonus, as the left side of the grid took off and left the right side behind.
We made it through Abbey and Farm without incident, which is fairly good going for us. Village presented us with som...
We made it through Abbey and Farm without incident, which is fairly good going for us. Village presented us with som...
2013
19/10
Sneak Preview
Yes, I know, I'm very late in writing up the Silverstone round that took place on 19/20 October. I will get there, I promise.
So here's a sneak preview... the car survived undamaged! Watch the video to see the reaction in parc ferme when I returned in one piece.
So here's a sneak preview... the car survived undamaged! Watch the video to see the reaction in parc ferme when I returned in one piece.
2013
14/09
Karma Bites
You may recall my Anglesey race, in which I put a wheel on the grass, hit the brakes, and spun into someone else punting him out of the race?
Well, we went to Oulton Park for a race, and someone put a wheel on the grass, hit the brakes, and spun into me punting me out of the race. Ah well. My whole race is in the video above - all 54 seconds of it!
The damage is fairly impressive - the front suspension on the driver's side was all but ripped off, with the lower wishbone in two pieces and the upper wishbone in a very novel shape. Overall, I'd say this was not helpful to the car's handling. My desperate attempt to reverse out of the gravel at the end of the video was therefore optimistic on many counts!
Caterham helped me get the...
Well, we went to Oulton Park for a race, and someone put a wheel on the grass, hit the brakes, and spun into me punting me out of the race. Ah well. My whole race is in the video above - all 54 seconds of it!
The damage is fairly impressive - the front suspension on the driver's side was all but ripped off, with the lower wishbone in two pieces and the upper wishbone in a very novel shape. Overall, I'd say this was not helpful to the car's handling. My desperate attempt to reverse out of the gravel at the end of the video was therefore optimistic on many counts!
Caterham helped me get the...
2013
04/08
A good race, as I remember...
CAT : Roadsport 2013
TAG : Caterham, Roadsports, 2013, Brands Hatch, Race, Collision, Concussion, Unconscious
COMMENTS : 2
So, I had finished the previous race in 12th, my best ever position. That gave me a view on the start grid that I had not seen before - the front row, clearly, almost within reach. One good start and... who knows!
The start was ok, I held onto my 12th place, and was gifted another place by Michael Coulten when he went off almost immediately on Paddock Hill (with, it should be said, some help). I guessed he'd be keen to get that place back later.
I was right. Three laps later, I went into Druids feeling somewhat defensive with Ian Sparshott on my tail, Simon Ledger tailing him, and Michael tailing Simon. Michael dealt with Simon on the entry to Druids and then decided to dive past Ian on the inside at the apex.
With hindsight...
The start was ok, I held onto my 12th place, and was gifted another place by Michael Coulten when he went off almost immediately on Paddock Hill (with, it should be said, some help). I guessed he'd be keen to get that place back later.
I was right. Three laps later, I went into Druids feeling somewhat defensive with Ian Sparshott on my tail, Simon Ledger tailing him, and Michael tailing Simon. Michael dealt with Simon on the entry to Druids and then decided to dive past Ian on the inside at the apex.
With hindsight...
