And so to Wiscombe. It was a full field, with about 120 cars and loads of motorbikes. I don't actually like mixed meetings too much as the two disciplines don't really mix that well and it always seems inevitable that you get more 'red flag' events on two wheels than four, slowing proceedings while the marshalls sweep the course of dust and bits of motorcycle… Anyway, it was great to be back especially as the sun was shining for once.
Wiscombe has been resurfaced from start to finish, so everyone was expecting great things. It sure was grippy compared to past outings, as jwhillracer will attest. This was to be my first proper go with the car now with its roll bar and door bars to brace the shell, the quick rack and rebushed front end. I was amazed on the first run how tighter the car felt, and how sticky the track was compared to last year (the previous outing at the hill this year had been pre-resurfacing and in the damp). I was a little disappointed with the practice time – 51.17 secs – as I had my heart set on a sub-50. But hey ho, it was early days. (As it runs out, this was my fifth fastest time ever in the car at this venue).
The next run was far better, with my short-shifting into 3rd up through the Esses to take advantage of the engine's impressive mid-range torque. Although messy the run put a smile on my face as I achieved my goal by 1/100th of a second! 49.99 secs was fine by me...
After what seemed like an eternity as lunch break and red flags slowed things down, it was time for what was to be the final run... I attacked the infamous Bunny's Leap with a little more gusto, entered the Gate slightly quicker than usual and almost paid the price as the car understeered rather violently, which I put down to lower track temp now that the sun had disappeared behind the gathering clouds. And my inexperience... Up through the Esses where I took some rather conservative lines, lost momentum going into Sawbench and staggered up the final hill – Castle Straight – before braking hard for Martini. The inside rear wheel lost traction and that was that. Or so I thought. The timing board showed 49.77 secs, so I'd got another PB and finally achieved my back-to-back sub-50s I'd so longed for. I was like a Cheshire cat with a constant smile on my face all the way back down the hill and into the paddock. Then came the seemingly interminable wait while the marshalls cleared up another 'off' before the inevitable announcement came that we wouldn't be doing any more timed runs... The upside of that was I could head to the bar and have a celebratory drink!
Here's a video of the final run – not very impressive but I learned a lot this weekend:
https://youtu.be/McvFUW_8k74
Next stop St Goueno in Brittany...
