19th August 2007 Fradley Park, Staffordshire
You would be forgiven for thinking that Curborough is the only track we race on, this being our third visit this year.
It was however the place for a number of firsts. It was the first time we did the aptly named 2 lap 1415m “Long Course”, it was the first official outing of the “Kev Roper - Racing Driver” Fan Club and it was the first time I beat Peter in competition.
Signing on and Scrutineering
Nothing really worth noting here other than the irony of finding out that I was listed as a Competitor but Peter, sometimes known as the cars owner, wasn’t!
Practice Runs
Format of the day was as per normal. Two practice runs and Two timed runs.
My first Practice run can only be described as solid. Peter was allowed to re-do his first run because one of the Officials knocked over the timing beam on his way back from fetching bacon cobs.
Practice 1 time 75.94
Back at the paddock we found the first few members of the “Kev Roper - Racing Driver” Fan Club (Mum and Dad) who where soon joined by the remaining members (Tracie, Leah, Chris, Kerry and Carys)
My second Practice saw me making a slight improvement and Peter collecting mud and grass as he spun off at Paddock Bend.
Practice 2 time 70.94
Timed Runs
Sadly it had started raining by the time we got round to our Timed runs. The track was very, very wet and had a lot of standing water. After toying with the idea of switching to wet tyres we decided against it and went out.
My first timed run was steady, as I concentrated on getting round in once piece and recording a time. Peter and most of the other Class E competitors were quicker than me……..well those that managed to get round without going off were anyway!!
Sprint 1 time 85.16
Ave Speed 59.8 mph
Back at the Paddock, most of the “Kev Roper - Racing Driver” Fan Club had decided to call it a day, and who could blame them as it was really pissing it down by now. That was all except Tracie and Leah who were absolutely soaked and shivering in the cold wind.
With Tracie and Leah now on their way home, minus the few bits of the Cooper that had fell off on the way there, the rain stopped! The track started to dry out but still saw most competitors packing up and going home.
My second timed run felt pretty good even though the track was still wet enough to cause some people to spin off.
Sprint 2 time 79.94
Ave Speed 63.7 mph
Most notable of the spinners was Peter Cox who went off at the Molehill, failing to post a time for the second time that day. Sadly for him my Second Run time was 1.82 seconds faster than his First Run time so for once I beat him.
Modesty prevents me from gloating!
Sadly the camera bit the dust early on in the day as water got in to the connections, so there is no video to show you. Some would point a finger towards Peter and claim he was the instigator of a cunning plan to prevent footage being taken as he knew he was going to get beat, but not me! I’m above that kind of thing!
Class E Novice Championship.
To see the current Championship Points standings, click here.
Lessons learned for next time.
There aren't that many “next times” left now am I still haven't done anything about learning racing lines. Also I think I don’t brake as hard or as late as I could do so must be losing time as a result.
However I think my style of driving is slightly smoother (for smoother read slower) than Peters, therefore making me the superior wet weather driver. But far be it for me to brag about today's result.
For a summary of the entire WSCC 2007 Speed Series season click here.
PS 1.82 seconds……..ha!!!!
