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Snetterton Race 3 September |
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All of our preparations for the Snetterton race weekend would not prepare us for the poor outcome from the Sunday event. The team had worked hard on the car after the Silverstone victory and we had good settings from last year’s race. All this would come to nothing however, following an unintentional but stupid mistake by a fellow driver. Richard Dean was my partner for the race. He had done a splendid job at Croft so I had no hesitation in driving with him again at this venue. We ran on Friday both setting respectable times despite being 10 mph down from last year (due to our infamous restrictors).
We were concerned over the weather on the Saturday so decided to set a time in the morning session despite the first 10 minutes being allocated to the GTO Cars. Richard did a time that I thought would be good enough for pole but a stunning lap by the Viper put paid to that. Still the front row is better than the second row! And it was slower in the afternoon as the rain made a brief appearance… Race day was overcast at first but glimpses of blue sky promised better later on. I would line up next to the Viper of Stephen Day and had Cor's Marcos behind me.
As the lights changed Stephen and I were away together but he must have missed a gear because I managed to nose ahead. I was first into the Riches and into Sear. As I went down the back straight it became apparent that the LM600 of Andy Purvis had some serious grunt. I thought that if I could get through to Coram I could open up a gap.
Sure enough I managed to do this but despite being 4 car lengths clear he caught up at Riches, overtook and ran wide enabling me to retake the lead again. And then as I approached Sear for the second time there was an almighty crash into the back of my car which sent me spinning around. The whole field went passed before I managed to get going again. I had no idea what damage had been done but I needed the points.
It was not to be however. Despite making up about 5 places I was black flagged because of the damage to the back. The oil cooler was ruptured and the pressures were falling. Race well and truly over. I was understandably not happy and Andy and I had heated words. Despite others trying to blow this up it was over in a flash and we had both apologised within 5 minutes. I’ve raced with Andy for 5 years and knew that his manoeuvre was not intentional. Nevertheless it was a mistake on his part that cost me the race and his licence was endorsed for poor driving standards. Likewise it was wrong of me to enter into a heated exchange with him in the pit lane. Those who know me know that this is so out of character and I was correctly reprimanded by the officials. As far as I am concerned the matter is now over and Andy and I will go to Spa as friends and spa(?!?)ing partners. Two races left and only four points in the lead now – it’s not over yet!!
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