I ended the day in 2nd place in the Normally Aspirated class.
The first practice run ran from 9.00am to 9.20 and I found it quite hard to get any sort of heat into the tyres. There were 35 other cars on track with all sorts of abilities, so a lot of questionable driving together with some odd circuit lines and overtaking only allowed on the left.
At 11.15 we had a 40 minute session to decide which cars would be in Group A or B in the qualifying I managed to get into Group A.
In the 20 min qualifying I managed 5th in the Normally Aspirated class which progressed me to the Super Battle Final.
The Super Battle Final consisted of the top Forced Induction cars and the top 5 Normally Aspirated cars.
They had to delay the start due to snow/sleet, the weather turned so bad they were going to call the meeting off.
In the bad conditions I tried to keep the RS on the track but it was slipping and sliding everywhere, then the Toyos started to come on (and to be honest the best tyre I have used in the wet). I was running 5th in the N/A but just before the flag I manage a pull a blinder and moved up to 2nd!
I received a big cup, champagne, a 2nd place hat and Motors TV recorded it! So watch out Brad Pitt, Tim Chandler’s in town.
I went through 3 x 20 litre cans of fuel. It reminded me of a test day which the MSA holds before a race event but has the character of a track day.
The Pro Class had professional drivers in their cars and the top dry run on Toyo roads tyres in the cold saw a 1.12 in their session !!!!! The cars looked great and sounded awesome.
The International Styling show was also supporting the event, so we had a lot of shiny wheels, unbelievable paint jobs and lots of scantily glad young ladies parading in the freezing weather. At least it help hot up the crowds!
Time Attack made me, a first timer, feel very welcome and the whole day was organised extremely well.
There was talk that on June 1st at Silverstone the Top Time Attack driver in the world with his car is making an appearance to race our Pro Boys! Something to look forward to.
As the announcer kept reminding us on the tannoy. . .
“It not racing …………… its TIME ATTACK”
I’m packing the woollies for the next round in Knock Hill, in bonny Scotland! See you there!
