TopCats Racing
Discussion
For a while now, I have been fortunate enough to be allowed to play a very small but wonderful part in the TopCats racing Team.
This weekend was no different and boy oh boy what a race it was.
Arriving at Croft at 17:50hrs Friday night, Keith (itsam arcos) and I met Brian who was already on site with the TopCats Lorry (our home for the night,Mantis and Race equipment.
We had been invited to Join Warren, Charlotte, Mick Mercer (one of the team drivers)and his family at a place called Clow Beck House. What a posh place! it was too, like a mini stately home. Lots of posh nosh and more than a few drinks coupled with the superb company of Mick and his family made for a truly wonderful evening.
At 12:30am, it was off back to the lorry for a bit of shut eye for Brian, Keith and myself. The Rain was thundering down and seemed to go on all night.
Morning came and yes, it was still raining. Everything had to be put on hold due to the flooded track. The rain eventually stopped and I gave the car a rub down with the chammy to get her looking clean and shiney, by mid day the proceedings could get underway.
The BritSport boys had cried off due to distance and weather (Jessies) but in some ways this was a blessing, as we had been badly delayed by weather and their absence made up for the lost time.
Qaulifying went very well. the two drivers for today were Martin Parsons and Rupert bullock. Martin went out first and we were in 17th place. Rupert took the wheel and battled his way to 5th on the grid.
Qualifying was followed very quickly by the race itself. Almost immediately there was drama as the Pink Porsche out-braked itself and spun causing mayhem in the ensuing pack and left poor Martin facing the wrong way and on the grass. Martin kept her running and re-joined the fray but unfortunately, try as he might, the race was not going to be kind to him. We were back in 19th place and he had made that good to 17th when once again there was incident and the safety car was deployed. Quick thinking by Warren, Keith and the team meant that we would take advantage of the Safety car and bring Martin in. We did a one minute pit-stop, where the Mantis was refuelled, Driver changed, Wheels torqued, Windows washed and sticker applied. Rupert roared off and was back out before the SC had come into view. He soon had us jumping and cheering on the pit wall as once again the TopCats Mantis was steadily picking off the opposition. What a great race, the places were dropping, 17th, 15th, 12th. It was great to see. He was putting in some brilliant lap times of 1 minute 31 seconds and going great guns. Fate struck another blow and saw rupert on a waltzer as he spun off at clervaux. There was some mention that he couldn't get it started so Charlotte Keith and I lept into her BMW and sped off from the pit garage through the paddock to the site. When we arrived, we were told the marshalls had pulled him into Parque Firme, where he was bump started, doughnutted it and rejoined the race.
Back on the pit wall and watching the times, rupert was at it again, upsetting the opposition and steaming toward the front of the grid. On one occasion he was battling for position with the Harriplan Mantis. What a site, Two Mantis' charging through the wet and battling head to head, great stuff!! Rupert got his way and the TopCats car stormed ahead.
After all the drama and upset, Rupert pulled a splendid 5th overall and second in class out of the bag. Topcats Mantis yet again beating all the other Marcos to the finish line. Great Fun, Great racing and once again deep pride in seeing our team bringing home the silverware
>>> Edited by Aviator on Sunday 24th October 14:58
>>> Edited by Aviator on Sunday 24th October 14:59
>>> Edited by Aviator on Sunday 24th October 15:02
This weekend was no different and boy oh boy what a race it was.
Arriving at Croft at 17:50hrs Friday night, Keith (itsam arcos) and I met Brian who was already on site with the TopCats Lorry (our home for the night,Mantis and Race equipment.
We had been invited to Join Warren, Charlotte, Mick Mercer (one of the team drivers)and his family at a place called Clow Beck House. What a posh place! it was too, like a mini stately home. Lots of posh nosh and more than a few drinks coupled with the superb company of Mick and his family made for a truly wonderful evening.
At 12:30am, it was off back to the lorry for a bit of shut eye for Brian, Keith and myself. The Rain was thundering down and seemed to go on all night.
Morning came and yes, it was still raining. Everything had to be put on hold due to the flooded track. The rain eventually stopped and I gave the car a rub down with the chammy to get her looking clean and shiney, by mid day the proceedings could get underway.
The BritSport boys had cried off due to distance and weather (Jessies) but in some ways this was a blessing, as we had been badly delayed by weather and their absence made up for the lost time.
Qaulifying went very well. the two drivers for today were Martin Parsons and Rupert bullock. Martin went out first and we were in 17th place. Rupert took the wheel and battled his way to 5th on the grid.
Qualifying was followed very quickly by the race itself. Almost immediately there was drama as the Pink Porsche out-braked itself and spun causing mayhem in the ensuing pack and left poor Martin facing the wrong way and on the grass. Martin kept her running and re-joined the fray but unfortunately, try as he might, the race was not going to be kind to him. We were back in 19th place and he had made that good to 17th when once again there was incident and the safety car was deployed. Quick thinking by Warren, Keith and the team meant that we would take advantage of the Safety car and bring Martin in. We did a one minute pit-stop, where the Mantis was refuelled, Driver changed, Wheels torqued, Windows washed and sticker applied. Rupert roared off and was back out before the SC had come into view. He soon had us jumping and cheering on the pit wall as once again the TopCats Mantis was steadily picking off the opposition. What a great race, the places were dropping, 17th, 15th, 12th. It was great to see. He was putting in some brilliant lap times of 1 minute 31 seconds and going great guns. Fate struck another blow and saw rupert on a waltzer as he spun off at clervaux. There was some mention that he couldn't get it started so Charlotte Keith and I lept into her BMW and sped off from the pit garage through the paddock to the site. When we arrived, we were told the marshalls had pulled him into Parque Firme, where he was bump started, doughnutted it and rejoined the race.
Back on the pit wall and watching the times, rupert was at it again, upsetting the opposition and steaming toward the front of the grid. On one occasion he was battling for position with the Harriplan Mantis. What a site, Two Mantis' charging through the wet and battling head to head, great stuff!! Rupert got his way and the TopCats car stormed ahead.
After all the drama and upset, Rupert pulled a splendid 5th overall and second in class out of the bag. Topcats Mantis yet again beating all the other Marcos to the finish line. Great Fun, Great racing and once again deep pride in seeing our team bringing home the silverware
>>> Edited by Aviator on Sunday 24th October 14:58
>>> Edited by Aviator on Sunday 24th October 14:59
>>> Edited by Aviator on Sunday 24th October 15:02
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