After an eventful week, I was looking forward to getting out on track. Despite the weather forecast, I was hoping for some dry conditions at race time, but it wasnt’ t to be! So on with the new wet tyres and out for the required three laps, during which time I realised the turbo boost pressure was very low. At this stage I was 6th/7th position on the grid for first race, so into the pits, bonnet open, had a quick look, nothing obvious, Time tick n, so elected to fit slicks and was hoping it had dried a little. With 2 min of the session left,I was back out for one hot lap and managed to get a time good enough for second on the grid to B. Rabbitt Honda, on 1 bar of boost!
Now the big question was What’s Wrong? After some checks we found a loose boost hose… With this sorted it was a wait and see how the weather was going to be for race one.
What a Race, I had lots of wheel-spin off the line, I couldn’t re-set the boost until I drove the car, so I had some boost spike & way too much power for first few laps, until I re-adjusted the pressure. At this stage B. Rabbitt in the Teg was 1.5 sec ahead and I settled into the race, only to see a Red Flag. After a good re-start off the line I was side by side with B.Rabbitt into the first corner and settled into second position for a few laps until the Safety Car appeared and then another Red Flag, there were so many incidents. So another re-start, I got a good run into the first corner, B. Rabbitt had the inside line, so into second position AGAIN and wished for the clock to count down the remaining time. On the second last lap I couldn’t believe to see a plume of smoke and flames from B. Rabbitt’s car. With B. Rabbitt retiring, I finished the race with a First position win. What a weird race!
For race two, I was not looking forward to the reverse grid positions for start off. I was in 9th position and after all the incidents in the first race, I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. Got a great start of the line and was up to 5th position before the first corner. The first few laps were spent chasing and passing several cars. I could see the race leader J. Hughes- Integra ahead and began to chase him down. Finally passed him and settled into a relaxed pace, keeping a good distance, didn’t want to push too hard, so eased off to conserve tyres and watch the clock. Keeping an eye on the rear view mirror, I seen the distinctive orange EK9 Civic of P Burdock- Tuned at WestwardEng coming rapid. Brilliant, I thought we might get a one two, but not to be, as on the next lap he lost his alternator belt and had to retire. So I drove on and took First place win.
I was delighted to finish and have the car run so well, after our work earlier in the week. Thanks to all at ITCC for a great day.
