Mallory Race Report
10th August 2003
First drive of the new 106 with the current set up, and a cautious qualifying session meant 34th with a 59.25s, putting us 10th for Heat 2. I got away well, and found space between Forster and Johnson, to exit Gerrards 7th behind Hatch, who I was able to pass into the hairpin. Lap 2 and the rain began to get heavier, worstening on lap 3, but I managed to get the jump on Skinner out of Devils Elbow and up to 5th. Lap 6 and started to pass backmarkers, again on lap 7, going outside into the Esses. Was watching an excellent scrap between Cody and Morgan, Morgan finally passing into Gerrards on lap 8. Cody tried the same move on lap 9, but Pete held position. Despite another three backmarkers to pass, there were no overtaking opportunities, and Hunt took the win, 4.21 seconds in front of my 5th position.
The Heat result put us 24th for a wet race, and again am pleased with my start passing Cody and following Morgan, but backed off as Neep crossed to the outside of the track. I was still on the outside and running out of track, allowing a number of cars on the inside to take the advantage, but through the spray I could see the back of Howard, who I followed out of Gerrards. Still stuck on the outside, Sheehan passes into the Esses, and I move inside ready for the hairpin, as does Howard, and Oakes goes round the outside of both of us. I pass Howard over the line into lap 2, behind Oakes into Gerrards, who loses the back end in front of me. I squeeze past, but Howard and Skinner get collected, bringing out the black/yellows so it's lap 7 before we start racing again. As soon as we pass the green flag and into Gerrards, Sheehan controls a slide, demonstrating how slippery the track is, but holds position ahead. Slow exit form Gerrards on lap 9 and Pearson's XR3i passes me into the Esses. I then watch as he takes Sheehan down the Stebbe Straight on lap 10, and Laughton into the hairpin, nearly taking Roughton over the line as we complete the shortened 10 lap race. I'm content with an undamaged car and 22nd from it's first outing. Gareth Wright was at the sharp end of the race, and took his first Stock Hatch win from Townend and Taylor.