Monday 7th June 2004

Snetterton Tuscans

Mechanical woes sideline Keen Motorsport

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The "TVR Challenge" (Tuscan seems to have been dropped by some commentators now) moved to Snetterton last weekend for two races.

The first race was initially led by Phil Keen chased by Caroline and Mason. Mason and Caroline are very evenly matched and tussled hard before Mason made a break and managed to pass Keen to take the lead.

Keen and Hood	Hugh Marshall
Peter Wheeler	Andy Holden (Griff2be)

Then much to the anger of the Keen team, the newly installed engine in number 41 let go dumping oil right across the track at the end of the home straight. Frustration for Keen and danger for the other drivers - a handful of whom went slip sliding onto the grass before rejoining.

Mason took full advantage of the fewer overtaking opportunities now afforded to Lee Caroline because of the oil and raced to the flag with Caroline chasing only inches from his bumper.

Ben Samuelson was also on good form and after a good battle with Tim Hood managed to take third place.

Nathan Freke also showed promise during the first race, despite a car desperately in need of a better setup. Early hopes were dashed however when the differential gave up.

Race 2

Keen Motorsport worked flat out in the six hours between the two races and managed to fit another engine in time for Phil to race. He made a blistering start charging from row eight of the grid up to 7th place within about 20 seconds.

Out in front was David Mason, once again being pursued by Lee Caroline. Behind them were Samuelson, Dowling and Hood. Mason and Caroline managed to open up a lead quite quickly and engaged in their own race.

Mason leads Caroline	The Chairman locks up
Richard Hay	Nathan Freke

It wasn't long however before a frustrated Phil Keen was to retire. As he made his way through the chicane you could hear him struggling to find gears and he shot straight into the pits to let off steam.

Caroline managed to slip past Mason in this race but the two of them continued to battle side by side for lap after lap with Caroline just maintaining the advantage. Richard Hay caught them and followed for a number of laps before seizing the opportunity to pass Mason and take second place. Tim Hood took a well deserved fourth.

Links

• Race 1 Results
• Race 2 Results
• Points Table
• Photography By David Lord

[griff2be]

I think Nathan suffered a broken drive shaft in Race 1, then a problem with the rear brakes in Race 2.

Pete Osborne was very lucky not to be fried chicken He retired with an electrical fault - the fuse box had pulled off the bulkhead and was shorting out, blowing fuses. The fuel tank had somehow been punctured and was leaking into the compartment which also contained the arcing electrics. Could have been very very nasty.