CSCC TinTops Brands Hatch 8th May, my second race

[vauxh al]

Well another fantastic weekend of club motorsports is over. It started on Friday with a test session booked last minute, I had new unknown pads and fresh R888's to scrub in, both which I didn't fancy doing come a rushed 30 min Qualifying on Sunday. I am glad I did as it took most of my first session to get the pads up to temp, and the release agents out of the tyres. Testing on your own is never easy, but thankfully Noisy (Paul V) popped along in time for the second session to lend a hand. This allowed me to stay in car and get the temps measured and adjusted as need. I left the suspension as from Snett, right now its me more than the car and another thing that doesn't need fiddling with...yet. Ended up with some laps in the mid 57's which going on CSCC times from last year I was pleased with.

Back to work that night for a night shift to mull it all over before a mad shopping dash and costco raid of bbq supplies saw me and the family supporters head back down to a windswept Brands Sat evening.

Sunday I thought would be a more relaxed affair with a civilized start time of 10:15, but this soon fly's by with Scrutineer checks to be made, which only needed a piece of yellow tape on the battery earth. New driver brief then an hour or so to recheck the car for Qualifying. Now I had made the mistake of entering both the TinTops and Sports vs Saloon races, not knowing both qualifying and races were back to back.

We dropped the front left tyre psi as it had taken a pounding in testing from being too high, and was down to the indicators from testing! With a busy session of 27 cars trying to all get the perfect lap it wasn't easy. I ended up 15th on the grid, with a 57.383. Pleased as we had lots more A class cars for this weekend. Before I had even taken a drink the next session was out qualifying which I also had to run it was out. This went the same, and having dropped the front suspension dampers softer the car felt a little better, but it didn't reflect in lap times so maybe more testing is needed.

The first race was after a huge lull, being the penultimate of the day around 5pm. We all had a great race and I have never fought so hard for 12th place, well not that I have much race experience. Great stuff though and the whole race can be seen here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfHZpwxcj6o&fea... Great battles and close racing with only some minor taps happening around me, and a few sideways moments from me.

I then had to go straight into parc-ferme to splash enough fuel in for my 15 min sports vs saloon race which saw me in the same group as Caterham's, Jag's, Camaro and some other novice trying to earn their signatures. The grid filled up and on the green flag lap my gear knob decided to come away in my hand! I managed to put it back on and get going around to form up again. The start went well and I was surprised to see myself pass a Caterham and run around the Camaro on the outside through Druids. This lasted a few laps but then his straight line power saw me put in place! Had a few laps on keeping the Caterham behind next but once again he slipped by, into druids this time. My tyres having now been at race pace for near an hour were seeing me be more ragged and the Jag reeling me in. I stayed ahead and finished 8th which considering the cars infront I thought was ok. Footage her for that one, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9wpVxtEPjw&fea...

And tsl race results http://www.tsl-timing.com/?loc=club&season=201...

Anyone want to contact me regarding sponsorship would be very much appreciated

[NJH]

I enjoyed that thanks for posting.

[Hybrids]

Excellent write up.

See you at Donnington !

[snowen250]

I thought the Golf looked great and really enjoyed your fight with the Peuegots in the tintops race! you definately seemed to be throwing it around Druids.

Simon

[vauxh al]

Hybrids said:

Excellent write up.

See you at Donnington !

Afraid I cannot make Donny right now Will be July for my next Round.

snowen250 said:

I thought the Golf looked great and really enjoyed your fight with the Peuegots in the tintops race! you definately seemed to be throwing it around Druids.

Simon

Cheers, it was a great race and glad people enjoyed it. I just wish I could find a faster exit from Druids. Need more +ve Toe on front and stiffer rear shocks I have been advised to combat the understeer.

[snowen250]

If i may i think i have an idea why, you turn in very early taking a really tight line, maybe a more sweeping line could have helped? Either way though the car looked great and you were certainly pedaling it well! Great driving considering its your second race.

If you want to race more at Brands i think your car would be very competative in the local Tintop series, 2 x 12 min races for cars like yours on treaded tyres.

Simon

[vauxh al]

Thanks for the advice, that is more likely the reason than set up, always been bad for turning in early, need to have more confidence in the car and grip it has, then a later turn in and I won't run out so wide. Will check out the local races too as I like Brands.