Coming up to Rockingham the only changes we made to the car was to change to a longer final drive, and replace the front tyres with something larger. I've suffered with understeer throughout the season, so thought I would get a larger tyre to try and help. Also the larger rolling radius should give a better top end so it was win win. I went for the Kumho V70 and can honestly say that they are a fantastic tyre, and if you get a chance to try them I wouldn't hesitate.
Warm Up
Having never driven at Rockingham, and the guys putting the fear of God in us at the drivers briefing I decided to utilise the session to get my bearings, and also get a good eye for some markers on the main straight. As I'm a little down usually in the speed traps it was imperative that I could keep my foot to the board on turn 1, so spotting my turn in point was crucial.
Although the day was dry there was still damp on the track, so for the first 4 laps I got to grips with the track, and get some heat in the tyres. After a quick pressure check, I started to up the pace. It was slipper than I thought, and as I came full drift sidewards onto the straight I knew there maybe wasn't enough heat I the tyres yet haha.
8th overall 5th in class
1.43.1
Practice
The damp had clearly cleared as the grip was evident after the first lap. I felt I had some good lines through the infield, and pushed harder especially into the chicane (Pif Paf). The lap times came down, and keeping my foot flat on the straight made a good difference to the lap times. Mid session I pushed a little hard into Pif Paf and had to make quick avoidance to miss the corner bollard and take to the grass. Pulling back onto the track I had a quite check of steering etc and then got down to putting in a fast lap. I put in 2 strong laps, and then came in for a quick once over in the pits.
"Can you check my splitter"
"No it's gone!!"
"Oh!"
That would possibly explain the car feeling a little looser
I went back out for a couple more laps just to get settled in the car again knowing the splitter was no longer there.
Seemingly I don't drive too badly with a loose rear ha ha
3rd overall 1st in class
1.39.8
Qualifying
I felt quite confident going into Qualifying. I was sure I could at least match and possibly beat my practice time, so I set out to really go for it. The only change we made was to soften the rear a little, to try and get the car a little steadier especially in the chicane and the very hard corner Tarzan. Despite my best efforts I was stuck in traffic for the first 2 or 3 laps, but by getting a feel for where the rest of the field were I managed to get some clear air. I put in a banker, and got down to putting in a belter. I put everything in, and the lap timer showed half way round that we were coming up on a great lap. I kept it fast and clean in the final sector and as I crossed the line I knew it was a good lap. As I got out of the car everyone was smiles and as I looked at the times I saw I'd managed 3rd. Absolutely stoked!!
5th overall 3rd in class
1:39.6
Final
I decided to keep the car as it was in quali, and I felt there was more time in my driving, than in the set up. I got through traffic early on, and has a few laps just off race pace. I wanted to see where I could pick up a little time, so tried a couple of different lines on the infield. The track temp was increasing, so I had half a lap to get up to temp, and then I was on it. The lap felt good all the way round, and as I crossed the finish line I was back in the 1.39's @ 1:39.7. I had given everything, so I came into the pits for a quick pressure check. I was in fourth, and was told that I needed 4 tenths to move up a place and my first podium! I was straight back out, and got settled on the outlap for a massive push. It wasn't the prettiest of laps, but I gave it everything I had, I tried everything I could think of to bring the lap time down. As I crossed the line it showed I'd knocked at least 3tenths off but was it enough??
Er..no
I missed out by 7 thousandth of a second!!
Although I was disappointed, 4th was a fantastic result, and I came away knowing I'd given everything!!
So that's the last round done! Time for a rest, and get the parts together for improving the car for next year.
It's been a fantastic first season, and I've had a brilliant time both on track and in the paddock. The car has pretty much been faultless all year, and although it has lacked a little pace in the dry, it has been prolific in the wet. With a bit more power, and a few other subtle changes I hope to do even better next year.
As ever, the support I've received has both been invaluable and appreciated in equal measure.
www.yellowspeedeurope.com
www.tdi-north.com
www.tegiwaimports.com
www.pdacar.com
And my fantastic family and friends who are always there to help and support me.