27 July 2003

FROM 9 TO 5...

Following the disaster that was Croft, where the car was written off following a startline shunt, Donington was to be approached with survival and confidence building in mind.

Following the pre-race test the car felt back to its best, testament to the team having completely reshelled the car in only five days. Free practice, in the wet, saw me fourth overall and things were looking up. Qualifying on Saturday put me ninth for both races - slightly disappointing as I was unable to put together a clean lap that would perhaps have placed me in the top six.

Saturday's race saw me completing the race in ninth place, which was due to my approach: one of survival and car damage limitation. I was running cleanly and fast but was not aggressive enough and settled for the place rather than fighting too hard. With guests expected for the Sunday I wanted to ensure we at least made the start.

Following the impressive DTM race I was buoyed and felt bullish for a good race result. From the start the action, as always in Clios, was fast and furious. There was lots of action all through the field and my race was exciting all the way through, many people were making mistakes and going backwards and I took advantage of this and kept making up places with a consistent race pace and a good set up on the car, the only weakness being fading brakes - particularly into the chicane.

The last lap and penultimate corner saw me pull a move on both Martin Brackenbury and Oli Wilkinson simultaneously when we arrived, as one, into the Melbourne hairpin. On the edge of control I stole up the inside and held the line going into Goddards, seventh to fifth right at the death! A solid result at a demanding circuit then. With my confidence restored somewhat we travel to the next race at Snetterton looking to break through to the podium.