Great Racing at Castle Coombe
Discussion
Congratulations to all the Tuscan drivers for two great races of entertainment today. I'm sure Griff2be and Ted will put up detailed race reports but it was well worth the journey across country.
But a huge well done to those Tuscan drivers who turned out for race 2 in the most appalling conditions!!!!
Raining Tigers and St Bernards doesn't even cover it and visibilty was bad enough for the spectators, let alone the drivers!!!!
Congrats to David Mason who won the 2nd race........
and to Andy Holden...
....was that a 6th Andy? Going up the grid all the time mate....
Then, on the way home....with the weather still playing up....we had this to keep us happy.....
Well...it kept me happy anyway....
Thanks for another great day........
...//P// Sorry, am still in Chesire cat mode!
Yep - 6th in Race 2, after 8th in Race 1
Qualified 8th and finished Race 1 in 8th, just behind Richard Stanton. Had a last gasp attempt to pass him on the last corner, but wasn't quite close enough to him in the run up to Camp to make it stick. Mind you, he's done Le Mans, and this time last year I'd done, err, the M25, so I was pretty chuffed to be up there with him. I also broke into the 1.08s too, which was my pre-race objective.
I was one of 5 drivers reported for a jump start - they kept us on the reds for an age! I don't think any of us gained an advantage - but I could comfortably have taken a 10 second penalty as I was 25 seconds ahead of Hugh Marshall in 9th.
We were called up very early for Race 2 - there had been showers earlier, but the sun was out and the track dry- so we were all on slicks. Then the most enormous black cloud came over and the heavens opened!!
I dashed back to the awning to grab a coat, then hauled the car back to get the wets on. Back to the collection area I commandeered an umbrella from a family of spectators (who then had to shelter under a picnic blanket!! - thanks very much whoever you are!!).
Out onto track and there seemed to be a few cars missing - still getting tyres on - then off for 2 green flag laps to test grip levels.
I have never driven in conditions like that (Silverstone was a bit wet, but nothing like that) - so had no idea what to expect. Given the amount of water there was a surprising level of grip - but this wasn't a time for heroics so I resolved to take it easy and make sure I finished.
Visibility was appalling - water down the inside of the screen, which was also misting up - and the spray from cars ahead was unbelievable.
I could just reach the screen with the tips of my fingers and hastily cleared a patch to see the lights as we formed up for the start.
The lights went out and I tried to do my best "Sainsbury's car park" start (i.e. nice and smooth and slow) - which worked a treat and rather worryingly, slung me straight past almost everyone in front of me - I think I was in 2nd place as we left the grid
The likes of David, Lee and Richard fired past me on the run up to Quarry, and I was very tentative through the first corner, allowing Peter Wheeler through. Part of this was due to not being able to see a thing - a wall of spray with a few red lights dimly glowing!!
Exiting the corner I found the car gripped incredibly well, so I nailed it past Peter on the back straight and got on with it - 5th place. Nice
The car felt so good that I could really blast down the two straights, and until the last two laps I had the fastest speed through speed traps. Even nicer
Tim Hood came through having started from the pit lane - was much faster and I didn't fight it. Ben was behind me and kept closing up as we braked for Quarry. But on the exit to Quarry I could nail the throttle and pull out 5 or 6 car lengths, whilast he was really struggling with the back end of his car.
I knew if I didn't make a mistake he wouldn't get past - so really concentrated on not cocking it up or doing anything different. I didn't try to go any faster - just kept Ben behind and finish. That's not to say that I didn't have a few 'moments' - the car got well out of shape several times as I ploughed through puddles at full chat - and I had to take to the grass at Bobbies when I locked up under braking.
6th place, well chuffed
Later on I discovered I had lost the keys to my road car. After searching everywhere I remembered that they were in my coat pocket - which I had put on to bring the car back tio the awning for wets before the race. In desperation I checked in the race car - which has no floor under the seat to speak of. To my amazement, there they were - wedged between the seat and a carbon floor panel, dangling under the car! How they didn't fall out in the 14 laps round the circuit I do not know! Someone was looking down on me yesterday!!
Yep - 6th in Race 2, after 8th in Race 1
Qualified 8th and finished Race 1 in 8th, just behind Richard Stanton. Had a last gasp attempt to pass him on the last corner, but wasn't quite close enough to him in the run up to Camp to make it stick. Mind you, he's done Le Mans, and this time last year I'd done, err, the M25, so I was pretty chuffed to be up there with him. I also broke into the 1.08s too, which was my pre-race objective.
I was one of 5 drivers reported for a jump start - they kept us on the reds for an age! I don't think any of us gained an advantage - but I could comfortably have taken a 10 second penalty as I was 25 seconds ahead of Hugh Marshall in 9th.
We were called up very early for Race 2 - there had been showers earlier, but the sun was out and the track dry- so we were all on slicks. Then the most enormous black cloud came over and the heavens opened!!
I dashed back to the awning to grab a coat, then hauled the car back to get the wets on. Back to the collection area I commandeered an umbrella from a family of spectators (who then had to shelter under a picnic blanket!! - thanks very much whoever you are!!).
Out onto track and there seemed to be a few cars missing - still getting tyres on - then off for 2 green flag laps to test grip levels.
I have never driven in conditions like that (Silverstone was a bit wet, but nothing like that) - so had no idea what to expect. Given the amount of water there was a surprising level of grip - but this wasn't a time for heroics so I resolved to take it easy and make sure I finished.
Visibility was appalling - water down the inside of the screen, which was also misting up - and the spray from cars ahead was unbelievable.
I could just reach the screen with the tips of my fingers and hastily cleared a patch to see the lights as we formed up for the start.
The lights went out and I tried to do my best "Sainsbury's car park" start (i.e. nice and smooth and slow) - which worked a treat and rather worryingly, slung me straight past almost everyone in front of me - I think I was in 2nd place as we left the grid
The likes of David, Lee and Richard fired past me on the run up to Quarry, and I was very tentative through the first corner, allowing Peter Wheeler through. Part of this was due to not being able to see a thing - a wall of spray with a few red lights dimly glowing!!
Exiting the corner I found the car gripped incredibly well, so I nailed it past Peter on the back straight and got on with it - 5th place. Nice
The car felt so good that I could really blast down the two straights, and until the last two laps I had the fastest speed through speed traps. Even nicer
Tim Hood came through having started from the pit lane - was much faster and I didn't fight it. Ben was behind me and kept closing up as we braked for Quarry. But on the exit to Quarry I could nail the throttle and pull out 5 or 6 car lengths, whilast he was really struggling with the back end of his car.
I knew if I didn't make a mistake he wouldn't get past - so really concentrated on not cocking it up or doing anything different. I didn't try to go any faster - just kept Ben behind and finish. That's not to say that I didn't have a few 'moments' - the car got well out of shape several times as I ploughed through puddles at full chat - and I had to take to the grass at Bobbies when I locked up under braking.
6th place, well chuffed
Later on I discovered I had lost the keys to my road car. After searching everywhere I remembered that they were in my coat pocket - which I had put on to bring the car back tio the awning for wets before the race. In desperation I checked in the race car - which has no floor under the seat to speak of. To my amazement, there they were - wedged between the seat and a carbon floor panel, dangling under the car! How they didn't fall out in the 14 laps round the circuit I do not know! Someone was looking down on me yesterday!!
Thanks Rich - sorry to hear about yours - how bad is it?
Laugh of the day was for the guy in a Ginetta who span coming out of Camp - into the infield and into the crops - which were higher than the car. The car completely disappeared - then a chap in a red suit appeared - sitting on top of the invisible car - waving. I was in race control at the time and they were p1ssing themselves laughing!!
Laugh of the day was for the guy in a Ginetta who span coming out of Camp - into the infield and into the crops - which were higher than the car. The car completely disappeared - then a chap in a red suit appeared - sitting on top of the invisible car - waving. I was in race control at the time and they were p1ssing themselves laughing!!
griff2be said:
Sorry, am still in Chesire cat mode!
he's done Le Mans, and this time last year I'd done, err, the M25,
Well...it looks like I'll make a third as a Porkie also got it all horribly wrong and went flying into the crops after the bend at Camp. Totally disappeared too.
Crowd all hushed until the corn started to wave about and the car appeared again to much cheering!!
It really was exciting stuff yesterday.
Sorry to have missed you Caro.....
...//P//griff2be said:Not good
Thanks Rich - sorry to hear about yours - how bad is it?
. Even the now famed Holden determination wouldn't have got us out in race 2. Ian Reed (reedy on here) was the guy that spun into the poppy fields. I think that he saw the funny side (a bit later on
). Good news from the weekend is that we were starting to get on the pace - although Tom Ferrier made us all look a bit silly in the second race.
griff2be said:
Sorry, am still in Chesire cat mode!
Yep - 6th in Race 2, after 8th in Race 1
Well done!
...and no damage done either by the sounds of things. Maybe this racing in the wet could signal the start of 'lower cost' Tuscan racing
We'll try to arrange some rain for your next visit to KH therefore.
WB
HAWTHORNS LTD said:
Sorry, am still in Chesire cat mode!
Yep - 6th in Race 2, after 8th in Race 1
Someone was looking down on me yesterday!!
Ex29
I think we know who was protecting you, what did I say on Friday....... the force is now with you Ob6cannotbe
Uncle Rodney, dear chap
Yes - Monkeh was on the other side of the roll cage to Scooby Doo for both races
For those who don't know, Monkeh was Rod's mascot on No 29 last year, and was presented to me in an emotional ceremony on Friday afternoon at the TVRCC track day.
Didn't stop someone buggering my brand new carbon diffuser though
I'm not entirely certain who the culprit was, but chief suspect is a tee-total 19 year old..... Quality or quantity ??? A small grid but huge entertainment. Thank you to all the Tuscan drivers for a splendid show. Proper "full fat" motor racing. That was a brilliant save out of Camp on the penultimate lap in the first race. I think it was Mr Stanton, too many yellow ones. That Andy Holden bloke is getting the hang of it isn't he ???
How the hell they drive in that sort of weather for the second race is amazing, but very excititng for the crowd. Keep it up, we love it.
How the hell they drive in that sort of weather for the second race is amazing, but very excititng for the crowd. Keep it up, we love it.
yellow peril said:
the force is now with you Ob6cannotbe
Hiya Rodders.......now....bearing in mind his PH name....surley if the 'force' is with him he should be
Ob62be ...................
Ex29 2be or not 2be, that is the question, w.... (slap)......... need some water for these tablets
No 6 .... There is nothing that can protect you from 19 year old non drinkers, but try having a word with his "Foster" parents
Fantastic racing, brilliant day out.
This was the first time i had been to see the tuscans and GT's and i was very impressed.
The second tuscan race was very entertaining.
I was sat up at Bobbies corner, watching tuscans one after the other, slide wide at the apex then gun it down down the short straight towards the last corner.
taking most of the straight in a fantastic sideways drift.
This was the first time i had been to see the tuscans and GT's and i was very impressed.
The second tuscan race was very entertaining.
I was sat up at Bobbies corner, watching tuscans one after the other, slide wide at the apex then gun it down down the short straight towards the last corner.
taking most of the straight in a fantastic sideways drift.
OHH
I've just noticed im in that picture at the top of the page !!!!!!
Left side of the pic there are 2 people (well sort of one and a half)
The one in the white top is my house mate Stuart, and im the one in black thats half in and half out of the pic.
Hello
>> Edited by AJB on Wednesday 23 June 09:22
I've just noticed im in that picture at the top of the page !!!!!!
Left side of the pic there are 2 people (well sort of one and a half)
The one in the white top is my house mate Stuart, and im the one in black thats half in and half out of the pic.
Hello
>> Edited by AJB on Wednesday 23 June 09:22
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