Mallory Test Day Report
March 11th 2005
Not too many Stock Hatches at Mallory for the test day, many opting to test at Snetterton, as Mallory is not the first race this year, but a good mix of new and not so new drivers. The ex-Tom Blamire 106 XSi departed stage right into the barriers in front of me, an early bath for William Sargent. Matt Fincham also managed to scratch his new paintwork, but was able to continue testing. Simon Hunt was out in a new XSi, and Pete Felix was helping out with a new Saxo.
Stewart Pearson, Jason Nind, Craig Emmerson, Stewart Finnigan, Andy Mason, Andy Mackie, Matt Rozier and Maurice Davies were also testing. Weather was very cold and windy, and despite light rain, the track was dry until a downpour in the last session. I was pleased with a 58.10, but the official timing put my best as 59.18. Not wishing to dispute the transponder, my advice is don't bother buying a Demon Tweeks T100 lap timer. Still, nothing fell off the car, so all is well for Snetterton.
Many cars were not carrying the appropriate ballast so comparisons are unreliable, of the other drivers under a minute (for the sessions I have data): Fincham 58.83, Pearson 58.80, Hunt 57.65.
57.79 for Jeff Humphries new XR2i. Don't know if it's in championship regulation specification at this stage but could be a contender for the Stock Hatch B championship battle.
I have fitted a extra rear view mirror so there is some coverage of what is happening in my wake. Needs some fine tuning, but there is a sample video here. I thought the Porsche was letting me go around the outside!
Thanks to Simon Hunt and Peter Alden (Cheers Dad!) for helping out at Mallory.
See you at Snetterton Easter Sunday and Monday.