Mallory Race Report
9th March 2003
Still awaiting the roll cage for the 106 so dusted off the XR2 for the start of the 2003 season. First session qualifying had laptimer working at last, so knew what we should be aiming for but unable to post sub-59 seconds like last year. Seems like a lot of people were having the same problem as track not as fast after winter break (or have we all gone rusty?). Surprisingly, lap timer times matched transponder times very well, so can't complain on that count. Session left me down in 33rd place out of 56. Commiserations to the entrants who had entered to race but were unable to get on the grid due to over-subscription of the series. Some of those disappointed made themselves useful marshalling including Phil Law who was posted at the end of the pit straight. The new Pro Stock class was supported by Hilary Howlett and Craig Shepherd but the bulk of competitors have remained in Stock Hatch or are contesting both series so pressure on the grid is as great as ever.
Click on image to see Quicktime video of start of race
B race began with me placed 5th at the inside of the track and a somewhat surprised Simon Holloway on pole having expected to be backing up the A race. Confusion over timings meant that expected pole-sitter Terry Roughton had been bumped up to the A leaving Simon demoted to the B which took him unawares. Similarly, so did the green lights at the start of the race. The usual suspects Nind, Oakes and Headland surrounded me on the grid and the presence of Darren Blumson made me anticipate an interesting start to the race. On the green light, I dived left, found no space, dived right, found no space so backed off then held the white line down right hand side of the track into Gerards. Tucked in behind Darren and delighted to see most of pack drifting wide leaving plenty of space ahead to follow Taylor and Holloway, but an oversteering white 205 GTI (so I'm told, can't see it on the video) headed back towards the infield collecting with me and puncturing my nearside front tyre. The red flag came out whilst I limped backed to the pits. I was able to change the wheel thanks to the generosity of Mark Routledge and his team in the Hot Hatch championship (who provided me with an instant pit crew). I then returned to the assembly area. Despite my best efforts I was not allowed to return to the grid and was told to start from the pit lane, unable to leave until the last car had passed the pit lane exit. A new experience for me! After what seemed like an eternity the light went green and I was able to join the race and start to make up some of the positions that I had lost. Most of the new competitors had learnt how to use their mirrors reasonably well although despite having my lights on I had to resort to using my horn on a number of occasions. I was a little concerned that there may be structural damage to the suspension or steering after the earlier accident but as nothing had fallen off after a couple of laps I felt that it was possible to press a little harder, allowing me to make more progress through the field, opportunities being presented exiting Gerards, into the Esses and out of the hairpin. In the closing stages of the race, David Drinkwater provided the most interesting challenge as, despite my relative advantage in overall speed, he defended his position well, holding on long enough to take the chequered flag ahead of me. Finishing 10th in the B race was not part of the plan for 2003, but the few points scored in the XR2 may make a difference to the overall standings later in the season. And it was a right laugh!
See you all at Donington