9 August 2005

SNETTERTON RACE REPORT

I've decided that I don't like Snetterton… Coming from such a good result at Croft I was hopeful my Snetterton jinx would not strike again. It did, however. For some reason we were off the pace all weekend and try as I might I couldn't make the ultimate pace in qualifying, ending up 0.5s off pole but still back in eighth for round 11 and seventh for round 12.

The Saturday race saw a good start but rounding the first corner I received a large impact from Stephen Colbert (who had been hit by Allison) on the rear quarter and left the circuit at speed. Stationary on the grass I could only watch helplessly as an out of control Fulvio Mussi came bearing down on me to give my car another healthy smack, albeit on the other side of the car, so that was both rear quarters done for.

Rejoining, I returned to the pits for some bodywork to be prised off the wheels and after a new wheel was also fitted I rejoined a lap down and came home stone last. Further examination post-race diagnosed a bent rear beam with both stub axles also pointing in the wrong direction, so it was a miracle the thing could turn a corner at all.

Twenty-four hours and plenty of mechanical and panel bashing work later TCR turned out, as ever, a totally sorted car for round 12. Once again marred by poor driving standards my race was stymied on the first lap. Having avoided several incidents I had a choice at the bomb hole corner, either join in the carnage or leave the circuit to avoid it, I chose the latter and rejoined 11th, wrong place wrong time, I guess. Having worked my way back to seventh I was left to rue a pretty shabby weekend's motor sport and now have to prepare to get back on the pace and the podium for Knockhill at the end of August.