Castle Combe Race Report
May 7th 2006
My engine was past repair after blowing at Snetterton, so many thanks to Matt Wisher for supplying a new head, Maurice Hayden for the block, and Pete Morgan for putting the new unit together.
An early and wet start at Combe, further clouded by the official insistance that the noise generated by my car was in excess of the permitted levels. By the time I had sourced a noise meter which read a permitted 103 decibels, which the officials equipment now agreed with, both the qualifying sessions had ended, and I was forced to qualify out of session with the Locosts. Qualifying times would be irrelevant as I would be put at the back of the grid for the heat, in fiftyish place.
Heat: I was on row 17 at the start, 4 cars behind, that had also had scrutineering issues. There are big grids at Coombe, 38 cars in the heat, and 42 in the final later.
Heat start shows 1st half of lap 1, then remainder of lap 1. Next is lap 2 and remainder of lap 2. Too much going on to comment, lap 3 and pass our leading lady driver Amy Barker. Running alone for a while until on lap 6 I pass Derek Rozier, then on lap 8 pass Tim Mizen. Catch and pass Darren Gay just before the checkered flag. I finish 14th putting me through to the final.
Row 15 for the final. Start and the usual stock hatch mayhem, 2nd half of lap 1, spend a few laps in a bunch with Matt Wilkins, Darren Wilson and Damien Cottrell. I pass Wilson and Wilkins, who gives me a good tap, but is polite enough to give me a wave to apologise, then I get by Cottrell. Make a hash of the last chicane and let Wilson back through just before the flag to put me 16th.
At the sharp end, Maurice Hayden wins from Alex Dew, Matthew Foley.