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August 2008 Thruxton I’m sure a couple of years ago we were being warned of long hot dry summers due to global warming – ever since that message our summer has consisted of 2 dry weeks in May with the odd sunny day in June, July and August (a far cry from the summer of 76). Last weekend we had the rare opportunity to race at Thruxton (5 miles from Andover) – the circuit guide summary said Thruxton is a ballsy circuit and it certainly was. The circuit is the fastest in the UK at 2.3 miles long with 2 heavy braking points, but generally flat out corners waiting to catch out anybody off line. True to form the sun had been replaced by cloud and rain on Saturday morning. Qualifying conditions were awful with spray making visibility terrible and wet kerbs making racing lines hard to take – my plan to go out after most of the cars backfired as I was held up by a couple of slower cars and when I did find space the session finished. Due to tight noise restrictions and being a supporting category (to the European Trucks) the heat started at 9am Sunday - despite this there was already a reasonable crowd. My ambition in the heat was just to get through to the midday final without any damage. The initial grey but dry weather changed mid race when the threatening clouds opened - thankfully though I achieved my target of getting into the final. Again it was wet for the final and after avoiding a 5 car incident on the 1st lap I enjoyed a battle with another XR2i for the duration of the race – I finished 28th of the 60, 11th in class. Overall it was a good weekend, 2 races with reasonable finishes at a great challenging circuit in front of large crowds. However it has become obvious that the engine in the XR2i is in need of a rebuild – despite carrying more speed through the corners, I couldn’t compete on the straights. July 2008 Donnington Park - the new home of the British Grand Prix We returned early from holidaying in Spain for this meeting - and yes we had rain there as well. Qualifying was disappointing - and I'd start 30th. However before we even made it onto the grid matters got worse as the heavens opened with no time to change the car from its dry setting. When we got on to the grid some how the marshalls managed to mess the grid up and I ended up starting back in 36th. I made another good start which together with some fun and games at the first corner allowed me to be 15th by the end of the lap. However my good work was ruined on the 2nd lap as I put two wheels on the kerbs and spun thankfully to the left of the track out of the way. The remainder of the race was quiet but the engine seemed well down on power |
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