Cadwell Race Report
6th June 2004
Craig Shepherd top qualifier, I'm back in 22nd. The back of the grid is filled by Alastair Boulton and Chris Staunton, the top 2 finishers from the heat, pole man Tony Headland having had his day finish early after a big off.
Loss of radiator fluid in the assembly area before the race causes concern, but no time to do anything about it so have to hope there is sufficient to last race. I line up behind Noel Moffitt and Paul Sheehan, beside Roger Neep.
Race start. Moffitt gets off to flyer. Sheehan passes Robert Foreman. I lift too much as Neep slows out of Charlies and Boulton goes through. Moffitt's engine lets go and we pass the smoking 205.
Gareth Wright goes wide in Chris Curve and we go past, starting lap 2, and all are through the hairpin without incident. Boulton attacks Paul Tibbs, who holds the inside of Charlies and position. The oil temp is hot. Lap 3 and Wright charges up Park Straight, I wave him through, hoping for sufficient reliability for a finish. Over the line I get black flagged, but can't seem to find a problem, other than the elevated temperature. I'm looking at the other mashals posts but there are no further flags, nor when I cross the line again. I'm still looking for smoke but can't see any.
I hold off the revs, doing enough to keep in touch with the pack, the last lap board comes out and it's clear that Wright has problems with the car, so I'm able to retake the position, Wright moving aside up Park Straight. I finish 19th. Turns out the black flag waved at me was a practice wave for Paul Taylor, who was driving round with his boot open.
Shepherd wins from Malcolm Russell and Maurice Hayden, Stuart Pearson winning class B back in 7th.