This year, pre-season testing was hard with Covid, so we decided to enter a Monoposto Racing Club test and two quali and two race weekend at Donington to shake down and up and sideways! Then it was on to the first HSCC meeting of the season.
The short version of the story then:
Donington: was a complete blast. I was on fire (not literally), nearly 2 seconds faster than my previous best at Donington in testing.
Quali 1, P2 in class, Race 1 P2 in class.
Was a great race, nice fast start, had a clutch problem and had a horrible missed first to second change and then a great race against the yellow car of Ben Stiles. His 1982 Van Diemen is a faster car (Classic FF2000 rather than Historic) and he is a great driver, so I was pleased to be even in the mix. He triumphed in the end!
https://youtu.be/9vqxkN2Nk_Q - please. please forgive the missed gear, it's truly horrendous!
Quali 2, P1 in class, Race 2 P2 in class.
Another great race with Ben, again he triumphed in the end.
https://youtu.be/hYH1w_hUpcE - clutch fixed
So, I was on a roll, and the car was the best driving and handling it's ever been. Yes there is a bit of a "but" coming
Snetterton: High expectations, car going well, driver going well, enjoy the 300 circuit. Test day was very good, much faster than previously (3 seconds), managed a time below the lap record set in 2016 (last time we were there). Everyone thought the track was quick, but even so
Quali 1, here we go, complete disaster. Was too keen, slid round before the tyres were hot, nurfed the barrier and the clutch failed. Start from the back.
Race 1, start from the back (about 32 cars), good fun in prospect. But had a big off at the end of Corum, then again at Riches, thought the car had broken in the first off, so retired. It was in fact just oil on the circuit around corum then oil and dirt on the tyres - doh. Start from the back again in Race 2.
https://youtu.be/GQ0T93WiUm4
Race 2, better, good overtake fest from the back, bit of a grassy incident in the middle, finished 10th.
https://youtu.be/fKykhRuIJ5E
So I was really expecting to do better and be fighting top 5 in both races and possibly a podium available. It was not to be. Next stop Cadwell in June. Well actually next stop Silverstone GP n the Lotus Elan GTS the weekend after next in the Guards trophy.
Hope the vids are of interest. By the way, I'm not happy with 2nd to 3rd. Should be a snappy clutchless change like 3rd to 4th, but it's a bit graunchy even with new dog rings in the box.
Graham
