27 September 2004

DONINGTON PARK RACE REPORT

Not a great end, sadly to what has been a good season's racing. After a good test the qualifying session was ruined when your truly aquaplaned off the circuit on the second lap of qualifying and dumped it in the gravel trap at MacLean's. The result was a last-place start for both races, most distressing!

Saturday's race was cold and the track was very slippery with a dry line only just appearing. My start was off the dry line and subsequently not good. The first corner at Redgate was unbelievable with Clios and parts of Clios being deposited left, right and centre. I wasn't driving, I was dodging! Having made the first lap unscathed I made some really good moves and saw a lot of others making errors on the tricky surface to finally finish eighth with the driver of the day award the only commiseration.

Sunday's race was much the same as the previous version with my starting place again 22nd and last. The finish another eighth although a little more hard fought as not so many managed to go off before I got to them. It was really enjoyable in truth picking cars off lap after lap and given a couple more I would have been sixth...

Once again despite the season end car damage carnage that befell so many others my car was absolutely unmarked and was in showroom condition when I'd finished the race and no, I cannot explain why either!

Thanks to all who have read my reports and offered support throughout the season, I really appreciate it. For next year? Well, we may be back for another go, just watch this space.