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Race 3 - Lydden - 5th June 2004

Warm, sunny and two trophies. But the series' first big accident...

The weather was looking nice, as forecasted as I set off. I was looking forward to this one, though a little apprehensive as I was runninng with pretty much a brand new cooling system fitted by Parringtons (supplied by Euro Car Parts) - new rad, coupling, thermostat, some hoses... Would this sort out my cooling issues, or was there something bad wrong internally...? I also had a new (secondhand - thanks Dom!) set of wheels, in the slightly wider but still legal 7" rim width. But the downside of that was brand new Kumhos with only 25 miles on them. Maybe a touch slippy?

We were races 2 (SELOC) and 4 (SE Saloons), so the first qualifying was for the main SELOC race. The laptimer was working and I was getting pretty good grip from the tyres, considering, so I could see the lap times coming down. I think Peter Seldon who was a guest driver for the day, was perhaps a little bit surprised how, err, "keen" some of us were during qualifying! I managed to get past him about mid way through the session, and put in my fastest time of around 53.3s - around 0.5s faster than last time. So I was hopeful but could see that Liam behind had been catching me a little. And I was right - I was behind Liam, by around a tenth, but Jez must have polished his cylinder head nicely during its rebvild, as he was about .25s ahead of Liam on a 53.0s...! So Jez, then Liam, then me, then Craig, then Paul about 0.75s off. Craig seems to be getting the hang of it now, unfortunately!

Qualifying for the second race put us out with the handful of minis also in the race. There were about a dozen of the Beemers out there. Most of the mins were faster, but they were on Yoko A32s or similar cut slicks. Jez and Liam weren't out in this one, but Daren was, so I was pleased to end up first of the BMWs, third overall on the grid. My time was 53.8, though, a good 0.5s down on SELOC qualifying...

So, third on the grid for both races. I don't like that side of the grid, as it seems slower, maybe due to the marbles and dust as it's off line. Oh well. The weather was holding up well and the car temperatute, even more importantly, hadn't strayed above halfway thankfully. So no need to have the heater on! Anyway, to the race: Despite some attempts to marshall those in first, third and fifth to keep out those in second and fourth, it was every man for themselves in the end! I made a resonable start and took a bit off Jez, but then he pulled away in second gear, with Liam squeezing in front. Second on the grid is definitely the place to be... So I was still in third around the first bend, with Paul close on my left hand side from the exit, I think. Well, I wasn't ceding position to him after all his talk of me being a wuss when it came to the close stuff! So I held position through the Elbow and up to the hairpin, where I was able to get in front. Liam and Jez had pulled out a second or two on me, but Jez was all over Liam, with tyre smoke etc. at most corners. So I thought that if I buckled down to it there was a vague chance of getting past both of them if they made a big mistake. So, slowly I caught up, until Jez locked up into the Elbow and I got right up close. Liam used his advantage to get a second or so of clear air, but I was in with a chance with Jez. But then, going around Paddock, I saw the last lap board. It was going to be tough getting past Jez, as although I was on him under braking, he was pulling away out of the corners. Still, worth a try. And then on the way into the hairpin, I was able to get right up his bumper under braking, and even had to lift slightly. But then he blasted off down Hairy Hill, and I couldn't keep up. Still, I went for an inside line into Paddock just in case I could sneak past. But that is when it all went a bit unpleasant, as Jez saw me on the inside, and turned in early to try and be defensive. But it was too fast and too early and he ran out of road and into the gravel. I assumed he was going to get it back on, as he's been there before, but as I went past I saw him hit the tyres hard and the car flip. Oh bugger.. Not a nice thing to watch. I didn't see him get out as the chequered flag flashed past, to be instantly replaced by red flags. However, as I slowed down on the red flag lap, I heard the announcer saying he was out of the car, and also that he kept second - "probably not a great consolation" - as the results were counted back a lap.

The start

Right up behind at the hairpin

Back in the paddock, Jez was already there, looking smiley! Unbelievable how he sees the postiive in everything: He was delighted to have got second! Respect is certainly due. Then the car was brought in. What a mess. Every panel caved in more or less, but the cage had held up really well, perhaps a bit bent on the nearside front. Sadly that bodyshell was no more, but see Jez's site, http://www.jjbracing.com for the resurrection story...

Jez exits stage left

Soon after, it was time for the second race. I wasn't really feeling particularly in the mood, given Jez's smash, but I thought it was best to carry on. I was on the inside on the grid again, in third place behind the minis. They set off really slowly on the green flag lap, so there was little chance of warming things up at all. So, dusty side of the track, Daren alongside me... Didn't stand a chance! Things are a bit hazy, but I think he got ahead of me into the first corner and I was chasing him all the way after that. It wasn't until the later part of the race that I was really able to get on top of him, and was almost able to make a move stick once or twice through the hairpin and into Cheesons but it was not to be. The chequered flag came out all too soon, though it was a hugely enjoyablke race.

So, two trophies in the end - third in the SELOC race, second in class (fourth overall) in the SE Saloons. Although it's only a challenge, and there's no overall winner Jez and I have the second highest amount of points behind Liam at the moment :) Overall, in the seven races I've run this year, I've had four trophies - a first, a second and two thirds. More to come, I hope!

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