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Thruxton Race 19th August |
| We assumed that our power penalty would put us at a disadvantage at the Hampshire circuit which boasts the highest average speed per lap in the UK. Last year's race was in damp conditions so we actually had no real data to dispute this although we did manage to win on that occasion. What immediately became obvious however was that the car was awesome around the sweeping bends around the back of the circuit. The test day was unfortunately very crowded but both Mike and I posted some impressive times and we were fairly optimistic about our chances for the race itself. There was a big question mark over the weather but it couldn't be as bad as Knockhill though.....could it? Certainly the Saturday qualifying wasn't and Mike put us on pole dipping into the 1.10's. I was in the 1.12's which put me third quickest and we were again pretty confident. The tyres were really good and opposition did not look as though they would match our pole time. We wanted to try a few things in the afternoon session but smoke in the cockpit brought our efforts to a premature stop. Interrogation of the data resulted in an engine being dispatched from the factory and the guys did a great job in performing the changeover before the Sunday morning warm-up.
Sure enough it rained as I approached the circuit but the forecast had improved since the Thursday.........only isolated showers now. The warm-up was slippery but I went second quickest behind the Viper. More importantly though the new engine had performed well.
All the front runners had fuel capacity fears and we were no different. To last the race we would have to conserve the precious liquid and that included the grid and parade laps. I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to bring the tyre temperatures up enough without having a good run but I also wanted us to last the race....
I made a good start as the lights changed and led all the way to the chicane!! Despite a really good exit from Church, the Viper closed on me down the straight and seemed to lunge down the outside. I lost sight of him and thought he was committed in a move to go around. I tried to give him room, compromising my own position to avoid contact and gave it a boot full coming out. The cold tyres weren't having it though and I gyrated.......
Now the turning circle in the Lister is not great and I did not want to engage reverse so I gesticulated to the marshals to push me back. This they kindly did (thank you guys!!), and I was on my way....stone last. It was completely my fault and I was not a happy bunny but set after the rest of the field rising from 22nd to 6th before the pit window opened. I was up to 3rd in class so from a Championship point of view I had made some amends. Mike had higher ambitions though and closed down the struggling TVR and then made inroads into the Viper. Whether we would have caught them I don't know but we were not going to find out as the big muscle car limped into the pits with a puncture and Mike went on to take the flag. We were lucky after my mistake but we also worked hard to get back into contention. A good reward for the team for the effort, some kind encouragement from the pit wall but still all to do in the Championship.
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