7the Sept. A wet start. The MSA Go racing video say's "if you are going to race in Britain then be prepared to get wet". See my link to Race modifications and DIY for the changes I have made to improve my times. These changes are beginning to give results.

Drip, drip. The Tillet tonneau mod that Phil's missus to be sewed up kept the rain out

7th Sept Before first qualifying it started to clear. We got two slicks on then it started to rain again. Both qually's were done with 021's. In the slippery first practise they were not competitive against the rest who had cut slicks or proper 'wets'. By the 2nd practise a drying line had developed and some had overheating wets and my 021's worked quite well.

No wets for me. Swamped by the pack.

7th Sept. Fairly poor qualifying meant starting a fair way back. Good fun. Both my starts were good. I had stiffened the front suspension (not good for the wet but in the dry it worked well). For the 1st credit professionals race I used the same 7" slicks all round as before. The car was as quick as before, perhaps a little quicker. Trevor (Met red Sylva) had a misfire so I got by him this time. Neil did really well to keep the red and white 7 and me behind him. We both could have lapped quicker I think, but he kept us behind him fairly & finished ahead. Both of us had goes and it was a good scrap. I finished 7th again! For the last race (JT handicap) I bolted on the 9" rears. What a difference. Grip and I could use the VX grunt. I was a full 0.6 sec quicker than ever before, 2 sec's quicker than for the last 2 race meetings. Now in the mid 45s a lap. I finished 6th. Good points for the championship. For next meeting it's Pagid race pads on the rear and perhaps some cooling ducts to keep em happy.

That's better. Dry and slicks. Full committment, ok as full as I can give at anyrate.

Lydden 29th Sept. Bought Lol's front R500 wheels, boy they are light. Spent the 2 qualifying sessions not liking the brake balance and general handing having upgraded the rears to Pagid race pads and raised the front ride height 0.5" due to tyres. Simon had to change brake pads on the morning due to having worn the pads to the metal on the previous days L7club trackday at Lydden. I also correctly diagnosed a death rattle on his return to the pits by just listening to it, bonnet still on. A loose alternator strap bolt. It had infact sheared. Dr John helped him fix it. Lol had not cycled in his slicks properly at an earlier meeting and suffered from low grip. He was ~1.8 secs off his usual pace down to 45.5's. Trevor ran two cars in 3 races. A tough job.

Lol's car and my wheels to be, in the background

29th Sept. We sorted out balance and brake problems by the 1st race (Credit proffesionals sports cars race) by adjusting the ride height. I had a close battle with Nigel Cox in a Silver SLR, harrying it lap after lap until he spun in Chessons drift. I took avoiding action on the grass and narrowly missed him. After that it was cruise round for the final lap and the flag. Finished in my usual 7th place. Best lap time 46.4. Alan had a problem, seized Blade. From the plugs it looked like no.4 had snapped a valve and done some damage. Perhaps jamming in the port and stopping things going round...

Trevor and Simon's set up.

29th Sept. My pit crew (Phil) had told me to get out there and put in a really good result in the final race to help secure my champ lead. He can be so forceful at times! Did ok, won it! I got a good start and cut across to block Dr John off (all steel 1800 XF that revs to 9500rpm). I had bad understeer for the first 3 laps before the 21" dia slicks warmed up and the Dr was close until I could push on and get the hammer down. I did some nice consistent lap times, all around 46.3's and my last lap was the fastest at 46.1. I did not come close to the 45.6 of the prev meeting. Tyres? Conditions? Rake setting? Who know's. I will be swapping to my usual 20" dia front slicks on the R500 rims and the previous setup before the final round in Oct.

On my way to my 1st race win. Copyright SGSS Design