Signing on and Scrutineering

Involves proving you have the correct racing Licence and Speed Series membership then Signing in to say you are going to race.  This gets you an official slip without which you cant take the car through Scrutineering.

This means joining a long queue waiting for the Scrutineers to confirm your car, race overalls and helmet meet the required standards.

We were told to make a few changes as we were missing "Tow" notification stickers front and rear, "Master Cut Off" stickers on the outside of the car and there was something to do with the hoop extensions on the roll bar.

After a brief moment of "will it, wont it?!" we were given a sticker confirming the car had passed on the assumption we made the required changes.  Back in the Paddock we made the changes and proudly attached the sticker.

Practice Runs

Everyone gets 4 timed runs of the 2.1 mile circuit, 2 Practice and 2 Sprint.  

The deal is that I will go out first so Pete gets the benefit of the warmer tyres (Honestly, it does make a difference!)  Many thoughts hit me whilst waiting at the Start Line, mainly that I didn't know this track at all, other than what I could see from either the Paddock or now sat in the car.

Anyway I got round without making too many mistakes, other than forgetting to go down the "Dual Driver" lane so I could swap with Pete who ending up having to queue again, opps!....you live and learn!!!

Practice 1 time    1:58.52

Photo courtesy of Se7en Imaging

Second run was much better as I had bit more of a clue as to which way to turn and where to put the car on the track.  There was still plenty of braking too early for corners.  Oh, and I managed to find the "Dual Drive" lane this time.

Practice 2 time    1:50.59

Sprint Runs

We skilfully left it till the car was nearly at the Start Line to identify it was suddenly very noisy. 

Investigations revealed the exhaust had carelessly lost a bolt and eaten its gasket so we headed back to the paddock to see what could be done.  I expertly held an Allen key whilst people emerged from nowhere to help fix it.  One new bolt and some funny gasket paste later, we were back on our way to the Start Line.

Whilst out on first timed Sprint run (My third run in total) I found I was no longer wondering where the corners were, instead making mental notes that "I could go faster there" especially at the chicane or "need to brake later here"  No doubt this would make my last run the best of the day.

Sprint 1 time    1:49.71

Ave Speed 68.9 mph

They didn't!  I made a mistake at the chicane and went far too slow, in fact I'm sure I almost parked!  The result was losing a lot of time all the way down the next straight.

Sprint 2 time    1:51.00

Ave Speed 68.1 mph

Class E Novice Championship.

To see the current Championship Points standings, click here.

Lessons learned for next time.

It really does help if you know the track.  Only knowing what you can see from the Start Line (Go straight, right hander, little left hander, long right hander, chicane...) means its all a bit of a magical mystery tour from that point on.  I must of looked like I was trying to find a parking space for the rest of my first run not knowing where I was going.

Photo courtesy of Se7en Imaging

Ear plugs are a good thing, deafness isn't.  The helmet on its own doesn't provide enough protection, ear plugs to be worn from now on.

Sadly I feel my entry into the world of Motor Sport has been over shadowed somewhat by that of Lewis Hamilton, but I'm confident given time that the media will soon catch on to the true saviour of British Motor Sport.

Brilliant fun, managed to complete all 4 runs without going off or crashing and got faster each time, ignoring my mistake on Run 4.  Roll on Cadwell Park on April 15th.

For a summary of the entire WSCC 2007 Speed Series season click here.