15th-16th July 2006

Croft

Once again Croft comes up trumps in the weather stakes as we enjoyed three days of unbroken sunshine and great racing conditions, if not a little to warm for balaclava's and gloves!

I would rate Croft as one of my favourite circuits, very fast and needing not only nerve but accuracy to get the best lap times. From the word go we were right at the sharp end and headed the testing time sheets from the third lap until the last. TCR had once again excelled in the preparation of the car and come qualifying we were once again right there with a front row slot for race one and a pole (my first in Clio's) for round 10 on Sunday.

Late Saturday afternoon heralded the commencement of our first race and for once I hit the sweet spot when releasing the clutch and out dragged the pole sitter Tom Onslow Cole into the first corner and then led, again this is for the first time in Clio's for the first half of the race. Thing were pretty comfortable to begin with but Tom was quicker in the second half of the lap whilst I was quicker elsewhere so we had a bit of cat and mouse until I made a slight error and he slipped past me at the hairpin. I was immediately on his tail but he didn't make any mistakes and we crossed the finishing line only 0.5 seconds apart but a massive 20 seconds ahead of the rest, a testament to our scorching pace I think.

Race two was held on Sunday afternoon at the height of the days temperature, it was extremely hot and although you don't realise it when you are racing it takes you several hours to cool down afterward. I was a nervous pole man, I do suffer with pre race nerves to a certain degree but I was very aware that I was under pressure to win from a lot of people, not least myself and I was acutely keen not to blow it by loosing several places at the start. As it was I got away adequately and despite Tom alongside me I swept into the first corner first and led for the first lap before realising with rising alarm that someone had spilt oil just after the first corner and it was right on the racing line. Being cautious not to loose it on the oil and not to loose the lead either is a tortuous business, particularly as the oil was spread around three quarters of the circuit. As it was I managed to run wide in the Jim Clark Esses and Tom didn't thus passing me and pulling out a small gap which I was unable to close. Although I was in a safe second I was continuing to push very hard to stay in touch as well as trying not to loose it on the oil. At one stage the car wouldn't down change gears and I thought it was all over but it seemed to be a temporary fault as it didn't manifest itself again. So another second, oh and proper trophies as well as the medals, note to Renault - they look much better.

Somewhat surprisingly we are now second overall in the championship and obviously hope to keep on form, it's Donington next where we will be unveiling a new livery and sponsor as well as seeing the 2007 Clio Cup car.

As for winning - I'm just going to keep knocking at the door and one of these days it will open....