Kris!
Member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2008
- Messages
- 311
Well, although we had no need to attend Brands this weekend due to the great season we have had so far, it seemed a shame to miss the final 2 rounds so decided to make the effort and have some fun.
After a heavy night on the Vodka, we were up early and greeted with a damp track and the threat of rain (which was expected to be honest). This wasnt a huge problem as the car had been set up for the wet and with no money to buy new dry tyres, I was secretly happy it had stayed wet.
Qualifying.....................
A slow start from most just to judge to grip, but suprisingly there was plenty and times starting creeping up and up. Trafiic became an issue in the final few laps, but I was happy with the feel of the car and although I felt I could a pushed a bit harder, was satisified It was enough to be in the running. The times came in I qualified 7th and only a split second behind Dixon which made my day. With his wet weather skills and weekly visits to Brands I expected to be a good second or two off the pace, but it seemed the new set-up was working as planned.
Barry Rabbit in the DC2 qualified 3rd but after watching him on testing on Friday, this was no suprise as he was faster going around Paddock than he was on the straights :shock:
Race 1............................
No 5 second board and a different light set-up to normal caused some confusion (not as much as the Christmas tree effect lights in race 2) and a few jumped starts so it was a bit of a mess from the off, but we survived the first pass through Paddock and although losing some places to the 4wd cars and Paul in the BC DC5, I could still see Dixon a few cars ahead so was happy I could keep with him. However, things just didnt seem to gel and although the car felt good, I just couldnt seem to get the confidence I had in qualifying and I struggled to keep with the cars in front. Paddock was the main issue as a few slippy moments unsettled me and with 3 cars off already around the track I decided to push on safely and bring the car home in 2nd place and in one piece.
One piece
.......not quite how the final lap played out really.
Right at the end of the Race I had Andy in the Suzuki Swift closing me down and I was struggling to keep him at bay, and on the run out of Grahame hill bend I saw the the Subaru of Darren Hughes at a slower than race pace. I kept to the racing line on the outside of the track and was happy with this due to there being at least a car widths between Darren and the kerb. Andy decided to go left and as I approached Darren I could see part of his hand waving out of the window as if to signal left, but as I was flat in 4th and until then there was no indication as to where Darren was going, I had no time to swerve so I kept to my line and went for the gap. Unfortunately, Darren was aiming for the slip road and I presume didnt look in his side or rear view mirror prior to this as he turned hard left just as I was along side him, causing his wheel to destroy my wheel, rip the passenger door off its hinges, twist the outer sill and give me a bloody big headache :x I kept going but with a burst tyre and the fact I could now see the track through the gaps in the door, I decided to pull into the pits and call it a day. If I had realised it was the final lap I would of carried on the finish but it wasnt to be.
So, a crappy end to the season, but not crap enough the put a dampner on the great fun we have had all season, so the Civic will fight to live another day.
Well done to Drmikey for a well deserved 2nd in Class in the mighty Civic especially after nearly dying of swine flue earlier in the day, and congrats to Dixon for taking the class win.
And a very well done to Barry taking 2nd overall and 1st in Suprt GT in the Tuning factory DC2
Race 2...........................
I had decided not to try and get the Civic back out, and instead watched the action for the first time this year. The weather was once again very wet and the action that unfolded was great to watch. Confusion with the lights again meant a bad start for most including Barry who dropped back from 2nd to 5th I believe, behind Elliot in the Scooby, Paul in the Buddyclub Dc5 and Dixon on the K20 Dc2. What unfolded in the following few laps was just a pleasure to watch as Barry slowly picked off the front running cars one by one by carrying more speed through paddock, then passing on the outside of Grahame hill bend on more than one occasion.
Drmikey decided to run race 2 with no exhaust so the V12 sounding Civic was another highlight of the day, apart from the chavvy boy racer moment in the tunnel......so childish . Another 2nd in class was a great result for Mike so well done mate.
Think that will do for now as I will post a final report up later in the week, and i'm sure some pictures of the action (and damage) will be posted up soon.
Just a quick thanks to Richy at www.Performance-Autoworks.co.uk for getting the car ready on time after having to rebuild the calipers late last week, aswell as having to change all the geometry settings at the last minute. Top work mate!!!
Also a big thanks to the rest of my sponsors and to those who came to spectate in the crappy weather.
Andy and Alison at www.vtecdirect.com
Julain at Rare Rims | Rota Wheels UK (I need a new wheel.....hint hint)
Mike at R Motion Performance Honda Spares
After a heavy night on the Vodka, we were up early and greeted with a damp track and the threat of rain (which was expected to be honest). This wasnt a huge problem as the car had been set up for the wet and with no money to buy new dry tyres, I was secretly happy it had stayed wet.
Qualifying.....................
A slow start from most just to judge to grip, but suprisingly there was plenty and times starting creeping up and up. Trafiic became an issue in the final few laps, but I was happy with the feel of the car and although I felt I could a pushed a bit harder, was satisified It was enough to be in the running. The times came in I qualified 7th and only a split second behind Dixon which made my day. With his wet weather skills and weekly visits to Brands I expected to be a good second or two off the pace, but it seemed the new set-up was working as planned.
Barry Rabbit in the DC2 qualified 3rd but after watching him on testing on Friday, this was no suprise as he was faster going around Paddock than he was on the straights :shock:
Race 1............................
No 5 second board and a different light set-up to normal caused some confusion (not as much as the Christmas tree effect lights in race 2) and a few jumped starts so it was a bit of a mess from the off, but we survived the first pass through Paddock and although losing some places to the 4wd cars and Paul in the BC DC5, I could still see Dixon a few cars ahead so was happy I could keep with him. However, things just didnt seem to gel and although the car felt good, I just couldnt seem to get the confidence I had in qualifying and I struggled to keep with the cars in front. Paddock was the main issue as a few slippy moments unsettled me and with 3 cars off already around the track I decided to push on safely and bring the car home in 2nd place and in one piece.
One piece
.......not quite how the final lap played out really.Right at the end of the Race I had Andy in the Suzuki Swift closing me down and I was struggling to keep him at bay, and on the run out of Grahame hill bend I saw the the Subaru of Darren Hughes at a slower than race pace. I kept to the racing line on the outside of the track and was happy with this due to there being at least a car widths between Darren and the kerb. Andy decided to go left and as I approached Darren I could see part of his hand waving out of the window as if to signal left, but as I was flat in 4th and until then there was no indication as to where Darren was going, I had no time to swerve so I kept to my line and went for the gap. Unfortunately, Darren was aiming for the slip road and I presume didnt look in his side or rear view mirror prior to this as he turned hard left just as I was along side him, causing his wheel to destroy my wheel, rip the passenger door off its hinges, twist the outer sill and give me a bloody big headache :x I kept going but with a burst tyre and the fact I could now see the track through the gaps in the door, I decided to pull into the pits and call it a day. If I had realised it was the final lap I would of carried on the finish but it wasnt to be.
So, a crappy end to the season, but not crap enough the put a dampner on the great fun we have had all season, so the Civic will fight to live another day.
Well done to Drmikey for a well deserved 2nd in Class in the mighty Civic especially after nearly dying of swine flue earlier in the day, and congrats to Dixon for taking the class win.
And a very well done to Barry taking 2nd overall and 1st in Suprt GT in the Tuning factory DC2
Race 2...........................
I had decided not to try and get the Civic back out, and instead watched the action for the first time this year. The weather was once again very wet and the action that unfolded was great to watch. Confusion with the lights again meant a bad start for most including Barry who dropped back from 2nd to 5th I believe, behind Elliot in the Scooby, Paul in the Buddyclub Dc5 and Dixon on the K20 Dc2. What unfolded in the following few laps was just a pleasure to watch as Barry slowly picked off the front running cars one by one by carrying more speed through paddock, then passing on the outside of Grahame hill bend on more than one occasion.
Drmikey decided to run race 2 with no exhaust so the V12 sounding Civic was another highlight of the day, apart from the chavvy boy racer moment in the tunnel......so childish
. Another 2nd in class was a great result for Mike so well done mate.Think that will do for now as I will post a final report up later in the week, and i'm sure some pictures of the action (and damage) will be posted up soon.
Just a quick thanks to Richy at www.Performance-Autoworks.co.uk for getting the car ready on time after having to rebuild the calipers late last week, aswell as having to change all the geometry settings at the last minute. Top work mate!!!
Also a big thanks to the rest of my sponsors and to those who came to spectate in the crappy weather.
Andy and Alison at www.vtecdirect.com
Julain at Rare Rims | Rota Wheels UK (I need a new wheel.....hint hint)
Mike at R Motion Performance Honda Spares
