27 July 2004

50 PLUS AT CROFT

Testing was free from any drama and TCR had done their customary excellent job in giving me an excellent car which handled superbly all weekend. Come qualifying I was not getting the lap times down to where I wanted, probably due to a couple of spins early on cold tyres which knocked my confidence and therefore commitment somewhat. As the session drew to a close I managed to post a succession of fast laps, culminating in a fifth grid slot for round 11 and a third for round 12.

Those recalling last year's race will recall me being pushed off the circuit at high speed as we accelerated away off the line. This year was much better - I lasted right the way up to the first corner before being hit from behind and ending up unceremoniously dumped in the Clervaux gravel trap! Fortunately the race was red flagged, I was hauled out and found my way back on to the grid with only some minor panel damage. The second start was much better and I was soon in fourth with Ed Pead ahead of me. As the race progressed my pace was pretty good and I was starting to edge up on Ed, which was a surprise. As I got ever closer I could see he was worried as he started over-driving, further sending him into my clutches. A mistake by him into Sunny In put me alongside and we exited door handle-to-door handle, great racing although I conceded at the complex as I was on the wrong line.

Undeterred, I knew I was faster and entering the last lap I was right on his case as we exited the first corner. Ed took a tight line and clipped the kerb too hard, sending him up on to two wheels. In a instant I was alongside and as we raced up to the chicane neck and neck there was only room for one of us to go through. I did, he didn't. Result? My second podium of the year and I was absolutely delighted with such a fine ending after a disastrous start.

Round 12 was held on the Sunday and it was a bunch of chastened Clio drivers who lined up on the grid after a scolding from the Clerk of the Course following the antics of the first race, in which several cars either written off or very badly damaged. As ever there were far too many instances of incompetent and sometimes outright dangerous driving and at last it appears that action will start to be taken.

My start from third was OK and I let my team-mate through as we headed up to Tower. He was really flying and I was sure he had the pace to win again. I inadvertently then lost a place to Jim Edwards Jnr: no excuses, he just put a good move on me! As often happens I was then faster than Jim and he was very good at keeping his lines tight enough leaving no doors open. Early on I just snagged the rear of his car on the entry to Sunny and was horrified to see him drive off with my front bumper attached neatly to the back of his car. So well was it attached I retrieved it from his car in Parc Ferme - it had lasted the whole race there relatively unscathed. As the race unfolded my team-mate and Paul Rivett had an unfortunate coming together at Tower, which delayed both of them, allowing me up to third at the finish, right behind Jim Edwards with Ed Pead breathing down my neck.

Two podiums and 50 points was the final result and I outscored everyone else in the field. It has given myself and the team great confidence for the next round at Knockhill.