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Snetterton Race 1 September |
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The
last two races had not gone according to plan but with a bit of luck we
were still in the title race. A very unlikely set of circumstances
could still send the championship our way. With clutch failure at
Rockingham and the atrocious conditions at Oulton catching us out, we
were hoping for better things at Snetterton. The Norfolk circuit had not
been kind to me in the past, particularly in 2000 when I was taken off
whilst leading, but Mike and I were still hopeful.
An impressive performance by my partner gave us the pole and the inside line into Riches but a sneaky start by the wiley Brazilian in the Saleen next to me allowed him to draw along side and go around the outside of the first corner. Whilst I was under no illusion that I could keep up with the lead Saleen I was hoping to stay ahead/with the other Saleen and the TVR. This I managed to do until we caught the first of the backmarkers and I unfortunately had to wait through the Esses for my turn to pass. Still the gap to 2nd and 3rd was not large and I knew we were quicker in the stops.
Sure enough we moved ahead of both cars during the pit stop, moving back to second and once the leader had stopped we lagged by only 15 seconds.....
Cue a charge from my partner and the gap shrunk inexorably. With about 20 minutes to go Mike made his move and we were in the lead......for about half a lap until the car understeered its way onto the marbles coming out of the Bomb Hole.
We were then back to third and Mike set after the two Saleens in front once more. The no.8 was now in front with my Le Mans partner Robin Liddell at the wheel and doing a great job bearing in mind it was his first race in the car. Mike caught up to our Championship rivals and made his move again but this time the Saleen made contact and our steering was no longer optimum(!)...... Mike came into the pits giving 3rd to the TVR and we finished a disappointing 4th. Next stop Thruxton in two weeks and here's hoping for a better result......
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