We pitched up at Dijon without the benefit of a pre-race test. There were 2 test sessions on the Thursday, but that meant leaving home on the Tuesday, and returning a week later, so could not really afford the time
So, first practice session, out we ventured. What a Circuit, fast, undulating. Pictures don't do it justice, you really have to sample the on-track experience to appreciate such a wonderful venue, and very much unchanged since its Seventies F1 heydays
I reported in the last event that we struggled with a constant misfire at Spa, back at base after the event, we changed everything on the electrical circuit, and to our relief the engine ran sweet all weekend. First practice, we ended the session fastest
- so the possibility of a podium looked possibleInto Qualifying and my plan was just to do the minimum laps to qualify and bang in a couple of fast laps to set grid position, and look after the car and tyres for the race. Well, that plan was well and truly thwarted as it started to rain about 30 minutes prior to our exit onto the track !
As we headed out, it had stopped raining, but the circuit was wet and drying fast, as it was close to 30 degrees ambient. I'd only fuelled enough for 10 laps, so my plan to run the minimum of laps, was compromised. Too late to add fuel, and having ventured out onto the circuit, it was obvious that a drying line started to appear. Also, as we were circulating black clouds were prominent on the horizon, and it was very possible that it would rain again !!
This was the time to set the fast lap, I pushed and was P1 for most of the session, each lap got faster and faster. After 15 mins, I pitted (30 minute session) and was comfortably P1, I waited to see what the weather would do. The threatening clouds did not deliver the anticipated rain, so each lap the track was faster and faster.
I knew that I was marginal on fuel, but considered that I had enough for two more flying laps. Out I went, and the first attempt I was baulked by a slower car, the next lap, I was 0.8 seconds up on my previous, but then 3/4 way through the lap, splut splut splut
- yes, out of fuel, and my best time set much earlier in the session was only good enough for P3 - OK, I'll take that, its a 90 min race, and we are at the pointy end...So, to the race. We have rolling starts, and I was P3, felt like I was in a good position to make a place up by the first corner. As the lights changed, I was not quite in the sweet spot of the engine, the power band is quite narrow on a 2.0 race engine, around 2500rpm of usable torque and power. I was probably 500 rpm shy of where it should be, and got mugged up the inside into the first corner, then baulked a little mid corner so my P3 was now P5
I managed to gain a place back after a few corners, then had a monumental battle with Martin O'Connell for P3. It took me around 5 laps to pass him, and we had lots of side by side action, tough but fair
I then had enough pace to catch Mark Bates for P2 who was a good few seconds up the road by this time, but Mark staunchly defended the position, lap after lap we battled nose to tail, side by side, but I could not pass. I decided as the pit window was open, to pit earlier than planned, and try and get out in 'clean air' and gain the position with some fast laps. The plan worked and I raced to the flag to finish P2. Tough race, as the circuit is pretty demanding, and 90 minutes in the heat was energy sapping.
The little 2.0 performed admirably, my rear anti-roll bar linkage broke mid race and lap times suffered a bit, but no misfires and a very satisfying result
Congrats to Olly Bryant and Andrew Smith for their win, thats their second in a row now after Spa as well - they'll take some beating !
For those who like looking at Porsche racing pictures - you're in luck !
Thanks for the interest, next and final round at Paul Ricard 2/3 September
DSC_2037 by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr
DSC_0869 by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr
DSC_0753 by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr
DSC_0709 by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr
DSC_0577 by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr
DSC_2541 by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr
, I'll try and edit it and upload