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Croft Race 28th May |
| Croft has brought mixed fortunes to me in the past - my "balancing" act last year was followed by a decisive victory with Richard Dean later on in the season. Mike and I were still somewhat disgruntled from Oulton Park so were determined to try and make amends on what is a tight but technical circuit. Of particular concern were the bumps and how we would compromise the traction of the car to cope with riding these.
This is what we concentrated on during the official test and after some fairly radical changes we concluded that we had a "pretty good" racecar.... We had both been confused at Oulton as to why we had no traction but that was not a criticism that could be levied here. We "declined" the use of new tyres but were still quickest on the day. All we needed now was for it to stay dry............. It was the GT cars out first in qualifying and Mike posted a 1.192 on the new tyres. I honestly believed that would at last be quick enough for our first pole......I did my laps quietly confident of this fact recording the lowest time I had ever achieved at the circuit. It was not to be however as the Viper once more snatched that privilege from us in the closing stages of the second session. We were still on the front row though....or that was the theory!!!
The forecast for the Bank Holiday Monday was grim for the rest of the UK but supposedly okay for us. Indeed it was alright for every other race except ours as we eventually were called to the collection paddock. It was then that the rain started in earnest and I was on slicks and the equipment and wets were in the pits. Mmmmmm...... I gingerly felt my way around the wet track on slicks and not unreasonably went into the pits where the crew were to change tyres. This would have left ample time to exit the pits and take up my allotted grid place. The team however had other ideas - as I stopped they decided that some fairly radical setup changes were called for.....We would not have time to exit the pit lane and indeed would have to start the race on cold tyres and brakes from the same....
A compounded mistake, a frustrated driver but a car that would work in these conditions - a recipe for what kind of race? I knew that the first few laps would be tricky as the temperatures came up but knew then I had to perform if we stood any chance at all. I slowly picked my way through the back markers conscious that they were having their own race too and the conditions were extremely tricky. My times came down quickly and I knew I was catching the Viper ahead and I sliced through the middle order traffic. What I did not know was how much advantage the TVR had managed to pull out ahead but they were not leading the Championship with us. My target was the Viper and I knew we had a chance to beat them. I was also obviously conscious that the track was drying and was attempting wherever possible to keep my tyres cool. I was also dreading being asked over the radio as to what the conditions were like as it is a no win situation. I was not surprised however to see the slicks ready as I rolled in for our stop.
Whilst it was still very wet offline there was a definite dry line and Mike made the most of it immediately being the fastest on the track. The Viper which had not changed tyres during its stop saw the error of its ways and came back in a lap later. The TVR had a grassy excursion before stopping and Mike was on its tail as it exited from its stop. He got past within half a lap and suddenly from starting in the pit lane, we were now in the lead. And that is where we stayed despite a brief safety car period. A very fine call from the team and a very fine drive by my partner. Five points clear but a very long way to go!
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