silvsum02

Silverstone Race 20 August

Jamie C–W was back with me for Silverstone and I didn’t think he would match the blistering pace he achieved here earlier in the season. How wrong I was. Although we weren’t quickest on the official test he scorched to a sub 1.20 pole time which I struggled to match !!

Nevertheless I was quicker than ever before and the car felt really good so we were confident that we would be competitive for the race itself.

The forecasts for the weekend were all over the place with all sorts of weather being predicted. As it happened it was a glorious day although some lurking clouds threatened later in the day. I lined up next to the Euser Mantara and could just make out the sleek form of Astley’s Lotus behind me. For a change I made a good start and held the lead for a glorious lap and a half.

My decision not to shut the door on the Lotus was probably the correct one as he dived down my inside at Luffield. I was determined to stay at the front however and matched the Lotus for pace. I held a close second for a few more laps but dropped to 3rd as the Euser Marcos used its superior power to lunge down my inside at Abbey.

I then played a watching brief as the front two tussled with each other. There was contact on more than a few occasions and I genuinely thought something was going to happen. I stayed 2 seconds back and watched and waited …..

I was called in on the 20 minute mark as was the Marcos and we sped towards the pits together. It would be about the pit stop. Jamie and I have been the quickest of all my partners and I was hoping to emulate what we had achieved in practice. 6.8 seconds later he was on his way – the quickest stop yet!!

By the end of his first lap we were twenty two seconds ahead and Jamie had no-one to bother him. Cor Euser matched his times (indeed setting the fastest lap of the race) but we had it in the pits.

I must confess I was waiting nervously for the flag to drop following our gearbox failure whilst in the lead last time at Silverstone. It held together though (thanks Howard) and we took our sixth win of the year. Next stop Suzuka.........