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Croft Race 26th May |
| Having had such good weather at Knockhill I wasn't really that surprised to see the forecast for Croft.....in particular the lightning bolt looked particularly menacing and for once they weren't wrong. Having had "moments" in both the last two races I was hoping not to blot my copy book here. From a Championship perspective we were one point behind the Saleen so Mike and I were after a good result. A win would be good but we agreed a second behind the Saleen would suffice.
Testing was wet then nearly dry then wet......etc. Very difficult to achieve a setup but the same for everyone. Remarkably qualifying was dry but our 90kgs of ballast kept us to the outside of the second row. Ironically we were hoping for rain. For the race we actually had damp and very greasy. I went out for the formation lap on wets but there was definitely a dry line starting. Nightmare scenario. It would be dry within 10 minutes but a pit stop to change tyres would cost precious time. LP said stay on wets but we agreed to go to slicks. His parting words as he slammed the door were ....."no one will care if you spin on cold slicks in these conditions.......just boot it.....!!"
I think he expected me to get further than the chicane on the pace lap though...!! I literally just touched the throttle and she spun around leaving me to negotiate the wet grass to get myself into the race again. I eventually managed to do so but was a long way behind the pack now. I chased after the field and started to move up slowly, mindful of the treacherous conditions. The power of the Lister had already bitten me once!! I was also conscious of not wanting to ruin the GTO battles around me. I was pleased to see one of the Saleens however appear in front of me and managed to move ahead of it before the end of my stint. I was also pleased to move into the 1.22's. At least 3rd looked on the cards. The stop went well and Mike set off after the two leaders who were some way ahead.
I'm not sure what happened with the TVR and second Saleen but a coming together saw the former in the pits for tank tape to reseal its bonnet. We inherited second and the race finished 5 minutes early as thunder and lightning began to lash the circuit. No podium ...no champagne....just wet feet. Six points behind now and off to Silverstone for round six........... |
